Young man sings hymn while undergoing revolutionary brain surgery

A young man undergoing pioneering brain surgery woke up during the operation singing a hymn.

Reuben Hill, 22, who is a member of Imperial College Choir, London, was having the last parts of a tumour removed when the surgeons asked him to talk so they could check his brain was not harmed.

Mr Hill, who is Catholic, chose Matt Redman’s worship song 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) and belted out: “Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, I’ll still be singing when the evening comes.”

The operation was carried out with an iKnife – the same technology Mr Hill uses when studying for a PhD in physics at Imperial.

The procedure marked the first time the non-invasive technique was used in Europe.

The technology means abnormalities can be detected straight away without having to wait for a biopsy.

Mr Hill, who was a communication officer at World Youth Day Madrid, spoke before the surgery. He said: “My inner scientist is fascinated by what they are going to do.

“Understanding the physics involved definitely makes it less frightening.”

He added: “How often do people get to have things done to their own brain? Particularly when it is cutting edge.”

It is hoped the new technology can be used more widely for such delicate surgery making it faster and more accurate.

The technique had only been used in Canada before Mr Hill’s operation.