Doctor's head severed in freak accident

A hospital worker was trapped in a lift with the severed head of a doctor after a freak accident.

The woman saw Dr Hitoshi Nikaidoh, 35, enter the elevator before the doors suddenly closed pinning his shoulders.

The lift shot upwards, cutting his head off, before becoming stuck between floors.

The worker, who has not been named, had to wait for 20 minutes until firefighters could free her.

She was treated for shock at Christus St Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas, where the accident happened on Sunday.

Japanese born Dr Nikaidoh had recently graduated from medical school. He was planning to become a Christian missionary.

An investigation is under way into why the lift malfunctioned.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “We’ve lost a family member. Every one is just so saddened.”