A TEAM of surgeons at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kota Baru succeeded in saving the arm of a 17-year-old student in a 16-hour operation, reported Berita Harian.

The marathon operation, from 5am to 9pm, was performed by four surgeons to reconnect the arm which was severed when the boy was attacked.

The victim, Ahmad Mustakim Arif Jusoh, who is to sit for the SPM examination next month, was riding a motorcycle when the attackers came from behind and slashed his right arm.

He had to carry the arm in the motorcycle basket to his home about 100m away.

He was sent to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital by his parents before being transferred to HUSM.

Hospital director Dr Zaidun Kamari said the recovery process would take some time.