Woman survives after husband accidentally shoots her in the mouth with harpoon

[NBCNews]

   Rio de Janeiro State Health Department/APThis May 6, 2013 image released Wednesday, May 8, 2013, by Rio de Janeiro State Health Department, shows the spear that was accidentally shot through the mouth of Elisangela Borborema Rosa, in the coastal city of Arrial do Cabo, Brazil. By Stan Lehman, The Associated PressA 28-year-old woman miraculously survived after her husband accidentally  shot her in the mouth with a harpoon, Brazilian officials said  Wednesday.

The Rio de Janeiro State Health Department said in a  statement that the woman's husband was cleaning his spear gun when it  went off, firing a harpoon that hit her cervical spine.

Elisangela  Borborema Rosa was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency  surgery after Monday's incident in the coastal city of Arraial do Cabo.

The  statement quotes neurosurgeon Allan da Costa as saying that the harpoon  came within 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) of killing the woman.  He said he expects a full recovery.

A police officer in Arrial do Cabo said by telephone that officials are looking into the case.

"Everything  indicates it was an accident, but we are investigating. We don't think  the husband tried to kill her," said the officer, who cited department  policy in declining to let her name be used.

"But once she fully recovers we will be able to question her and get a clearer picture of what happened."