[Fatal hangman's fracture]

Delay in the diagnosis of cervical fractures can result in permanent neurological deficits. The circumstances in which the primary assessment of the unconscious patients takes place are often inadequate, and associated visible injuries are of more concern. The pressure to achieve resuscitation leads to an unacceptable level of missed injuries. The tragically delayed diagnosis of hanged man's fracture after suturing of a tracheal rupture made reduction and stabilization of the cervical spine impossible.