Girl, 8, Nearly Loses Fingers in Tug-of-War Accident

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – An 8-year-old girl who nearly lost her fingers in a tug-of-war accident is back home, resting and hoping for a speedy recovery.

Alyssa Martin went through several surgeries and grafts to reattach four fingers on her left hand. She was hurt when her hand became tangled in the rope during a tug-of-war for kids at a BMX track in Fergus Falls on June 20. She had broken bones and torn veins, but her fingers were still connected by tendons that were stretched severely.

She has been back home since June 28, and had a follow-up visit in Minneapolis on Wednesday. She'll be going back to the hospital for checkups each week. Her hand is expected to take as much as eight weeks to heal.

Alyssa's mother, LaRae Martin, says her daughter is not in any pain, and at times she can feel parts of her fingers. They expect her to begin physical therapy before beginning third grade this fall.