In September 2022, the Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports published a troubling case involving an 18‑year‑old male worker in India who sustained a severe cervical spine injury after a heavy metallic object fell directly on the front of his head while he was at work. This rare and
catastrophic injury led to a retropulsion fracture of the C5 vertebral body, associated with a C6 fracture, and despite emergency care, the victim died two days later. This is the first recorded case of such injury morphology that defies standard classification systems.
According to the case report, the young man was standing in his workplace when a large, heavy metallic pipe or beam unexpectedly fell from above and struck the frontal region of his head. He lost consciousness, fell into
respiratory distress, and went into shock almost immediately upon impact. Emergency medical responders performed rapid intubation and stabilization, applying a rigid cervical collar before transferring him to hospital. Read more below
