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Fisherman loses hand in lobster boat accident

A 51-year-old lobster fisherman from West Point, P.E.I., remains in hospital in Halifax, following a frightening accident at sea on Saturday that resulted in the loss of his hand.

Carol Livingstone said her son Trent was injured when he was trying to haul up some lobster traps that had become stuck in the sand.

But the trap line broke and flew up in the air.

"Trent put his right hand up to keep it from falling on his head and it wrapped around his hand so tightly," said Livingstone.

"And whether the rope broke and flew up in the air or whatever it was ... I was talking with him about it yesterday or the day before and he said, 'Well it's bad to lose my hand but if I hadn't put my hand up and it got my head, I'd be dead.'"

Livingstone said her husband Wayne also lost part of his index finger while trying to help.

Livingstone said doctors tried to re-attach Trent's hand. But the day after surgery, the hand was very pale and it was apparent it could not be saved.

She notes that despite the injury, her son remains in good spirits.

She said there is a long road of recovery ahead.