A man injured Monday in a chainsaw accident says he is feeling much better despite two surgeries this week.

James M. Crum, 31, of Vilas said he was helping his father clear land near Crystal Mountain Road when the accident happened around 4:15 p.m. Monday.

As he cut one tree, he did not notice that another tree was leaning against it, he said. The pressure caused the wood to snap and spring back, striking him in the left shin.

He was not struck by the chainsaw itself, as previously reported.

The wood left a tangerine-sized hole in his leg that went deep enough to expose the bone, Crum said.

“I managed to keep myself conscious, because I was aggravated that I made that mistake,” he said.

Watauga Medics shuttled the victim to Watauga Medical Center, where he underwent his first surgery that night, he said. A second surgery and skin graft followed.

“They said I was very, very blessed because I could have lost my leg completely,” he said.

Crum said Friday that he expected to return home that day.