Unprecedented Spine Injury Highlights Workplace Risk, In September 2022, an 18-year-old laborer in India died from a rare and fatal cervical spine injury after a heavy metal object struck his forehead at work. Despite rapid emergency care, he died within 48 hours.

CT scans revealed a unique spinal injury: the C5 vertebra was crushed and pushed backward into the spinal canal, while C6 was also fractured. Oddly, the facet joints and pedicles remained intact—creating a “nutcracker-like” effect that isn’t covered by current medical classification systems.

The vertical compression from the frontal impact caused rapid neurological and respiratory failure. The case, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports, exposes limitations in existing diagnostic models and emphasizes the urgent need for improved safety protocols at industrial worksites.