One of the more morbid and frightening aspects of the Boeing 777 crash on July 6, 2013, in San Francisco is a ‘surprising pattern of spine injuries,’ according to an Associated Press story published shortly after the tragic event. Two passengers reportedly experienced lower-extremity paralysis in the wake of the crash, and 180 passengers suffered injuries requiring hospitalization. Even so, it’s quite remarkable that only two fatalities have occurred as of July 9th.
Dr. Geoffrey Manley, chief of neurosurgery at San Francisco General Hospital, said in an interview shortly after the crash occurred that he was ‘struck by a pattern’ of injuries that ensued when the crash flung passengers forward and then backward. He noted those injuries were similar in nature to ones occurring when automobile passengers are restrained with only lap belts and not shoulder belts.
Could shoulder belts be in the offing for commercial jets? Neurosurgeons are fascinated by the fact that so many survived such a violent crash, but three-point seat belts may only move the force to the neck, said Manley. That would pose an even greater risk of more extensive paralysis. One of the mitigating factors that increased spinal injury in this case, according the Associated Press story, was the lack of time to prepare for the impact, as it happened so quickly.
Two survivors may be permanently paralyzed, and several others required surgery shortly after the crash to stabilize their spinal columns. The extent of all the neurological damage is not yet known. If there is one take-home lesson, it is this one: Seat belts save lives both on the ground and in the air.