Note: This story was originally reported in October 2017.
A New York mother, Alon Abare, is speaking out about a horrifying accident in which she was scalped after her long hair became entangled in a car’s fan belt.
The incident occurred in October 2016, while Abare was attempting to address a mechanical issue under the hood of her car. Tragically, her hair got caught in the running fan belt.
“Without thinking, I reached in, and my hair got caught,” Abare recalled in an interview with Inside Edition.
In desperate need of help, she screamed for her children, who sprang into action.
“I told them, ‘Find a pair of scissors and cut Mommy’s hair out so I can get free,'” she said.
Her son, Sam, immediately turned off the engine, while her daughter, Logan, carefully cut her hair to free her from the machinery.
“They were incredibly focused and driven by the need to help their mom,” Abare said, expressing her gratitude for their quick thinking.
Dr. Keimun Slaughter, a plastic surgeon at the Williams Center in Albany, has been working with Abare to prepare her scalp for a potential hair transplant. For now, she relies on a wig to cover her injuries.
“I wear my wig, and it feels like it’s still the same. But mentally, it’s a struggle,” she admitted tearfully.
To demonstrate the dangers of such incidents, Inside Edition collaborated with auto safety expert Lauren Fix. In a simulation, they placed a wig on a mannequin near a running car engine, illustrating how quickly hair can become ensnared in a fan belt. The wig was immediately pulled in, mirroring Abare’s terrifying experience.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by long hair around car engines, go-kart engines, farm machinery, and even amusement park rides.
Lauren Fix shared essential safety tips for working around vehicles:
- Always tie back your hair securely before checking under the hood or replacing parts.
- Turn off the vehicle completely before attempting any repairs or inspections.
- Remove jewelry such as bracelets or watches, which can become caught or come into contact with electrical components.
- Avoid loose clothing, ties, or scarves that could get snagged in moving parts.
- Keep gloves in your car for safer handling of parts.
Abare’s story is a powerful reminder of how easily everyday tasks can turn dangerous. Her bravery and her children’s quick thinking helped her survive the ordeal, underscoring the importance of taking safety precautions to prevent similar tragedies.
