# Woman survives botched execution in Tennessee

> Christa Pike was released from hospital more than a week after lethal injection failed to kill her, becoming the first person reported to survive after receiving execution medications.
- Title: Woman survives botched execution in Tennessee · ABC News
- Summary: Christa Pike was released from hospital more than a week after lethal injection failed to kill her, becoming the first person reported to survive after…
- Keywords: christa pike, tennessee, lethal injection, death penalty, execution, botched execution, bill lee, frank strada, news, Woman, survives, botched
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/US/christa-pike-released-hospital-botched-execution/story?id=137160162
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christa pike, tennessee, lethal injection, death penalty, execution, botched execution, bill lee, frank strada, news
## Execution attempt fails
Christa Pike was scheduled for lethal injection on September thirtieth in Tennessee. After the injections were administered, she appeared to still be breathing and was rushed to hospital.
## Severe injuries during procedure
At least seven needles were used to gain IV access, with one bent in a ninety-degree angle when removed. Pike's arms were swollen, burned, and blistered when she arrived at a Nashville-area hospital.

> bent in a 90-degree angle when it was removed
## Pike's suffering during injection
According to court documents, Pike could be heard crying, whimpering, and breathing loudly while being administered two lethal doses of pentobarbital. She stated her arm feels like it's about to burst open.

> feels like it's about to burst open
## Pike regains consciousness
Pike was initially on a ventilator following the execution attempt before regaining consciousness on Tuesday. Her attorneys described her recovery as medically unprecedented and said she faces a long road to recovery.
## Released to prison after hospital
Christa Pike was released from hospital and transferred back to prison more than a week after the botched execution.
## First to survive lethal injection
Pike is the first person reported to have survived lethal injection after being given medications, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

> the worst we've ever seen and unlike any other botched execution in the modern era
## Governor halts executions, orders review
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered a temporary halt to scheduled executions following Pike's botched execution. Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada announced his resignation last week.
## Independent review and commutation call
The governor appointed former U.S.Attorney Ed Stanton to conduct an independent review of the execution attempt.Pike's attorneys have called on Governor Bill Lee to commute her sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
## Key takeaway

Christa Pike, on Tennessee's death row for a 1995 murder, survived a botched lethal injection on September thirtieth and was released from hospital to prison more than a week later.