Christa Pike survives failed lethal injection

Christa Pike is in critical condition after surviving an attempted execution by lethal injection in Tennessee, United States.

The 50-year-old was taken from the execution chamber at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville to hospital on Wednesday night after receiving two doses of pentobarbital.

Her lawyer, Randy Spivey, said on Thursday that Pike was receiving “life-saving care”, according to AFP.

The Death Penalty Information Center said Pike was the first person it knew of to survive after execution drugs had been administered. Previous failed executions involved officials being unable to establish intravenous lines.

Witnesses describe problems during execution

The execution was already under scrutiny because Pike’s lawyers had warned about difficulties with intravenous access, citing her small veins and a blood condition.

Spivey said he counted at least seven needles used on Pike’s left arm while officials attempted to establish an IV line.

Media witnesses also reported that Pike complained about severe discomfort in her arm during the procedure. Associated Press journalist Kim Chandler later told CBS News that Pike remained visibly alive after the drugs were administered.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said officials had followed every step of the state’s approved execution protocol and confirmed that Pike was transported to an off-site medical facility.

Tennessee orders review after failed execution

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered a comprehensive third-party review into what happened.

The state’s remaining execution scheduled for 2026 will also not go ahead this year.

Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 killing of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Pike was 18 at the time of the crime.

Her lawyers had sought clemency before the execution, citing her age at the time of the killing, mental health issues and history of childhood sexual abuse. Lee denied the clemency request before the execution attempt.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk has since urged Tennessee not to attempt another execution of Pike.