Fatal laryngeal injury in an achondroplastic dwarf secondary to airbag deployment

Authors
Roberts, D Pexa, C Clarkowski, B Morey, M Murphy, M
Citation
D. Roberts et al., Fatal laryngeal injury in an achondroplastic dwarf secondary to airbag deployment, PEDIAT EMER, 15(4), 1999, pp. 260-261
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics
Journal title
PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE
ISSN journal
07495161 → ACNP
Volume
15
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
260 - 261
Database
ISI
SICI code
0749-5161(199908)15:4<260:FLIIAA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
We report the case of an unrestrained driver with achondroplastic dwarfism who suffered a fatal anterior neck injury when her airbag deployed as she r ear-ended another vehicle at 30-40 mph. Her short stature and short limbs r equired her to sit within a handbreadth of the steering wheel, which probab ly allowed the airbag or airbag cover to strike her neck as it opened. This is the first reported case of fatal injury to a driver with achondroplasti c dwarfism.