Boston Flute Player Steps Back Into The Spotlight After Freak Accident

BOSTON (CBS) - You can find great music on the streets of Boston, and that's what we did Tuesday. But the flute player we met has a back story that takes him from career threatening injuries, to a comeback, and he's ready to step back into the spotlight.

For 35 years Boris Popovich has played the flute, performing all over the world, and now he's trying out his chops in Downtown Crossing. Boris is also a flute maker and repairer, but three months ago he was almost killed in a freak accident as he drove down a road in Weston.

"Trees are kind of going over the road and one of them decided to fall on the car," he says. "And I was down on the passenger side, bleeding, and I couldn't move my neck," he adds.

He was trapped. "I felt my arm numb and I was thinking my God, this is a life changer. Not in a good way," he says.

He fractured four vertebrae and could no longer play. "The whole nerve going through the right arm is damaged," he says.

Through hard work and long therapy he was able to pick up the flute just two weeks ago, though the pain and numbness continue. "I was very happy," he says.

And this weekend he'll make a debut of sorts, giving two lunchtime, outdoor performances in downtown Boston. "I'm excited. I like it. I like performing. I've been performing since I was 18," he says.

Boris hasn't been able to work for the last three months so he also needs to make a financial comeback. He will perform as part of a music series sponsored by the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District on Friday, Sept 4 from noon-2pm at 125 Summer St., and on Saturday, Sept. 5 from noon-2pm at Walgreen's Plaza at School and Washington Streets. His CDs will be available as well.