An unusual case of pneumatically-induced facial and cervical injuries

An army mechanic sustained a penetrating mandibular injury, associated with right atlantooccipital dislocation, when the inner tube of a military truck tyre burst. It is thought that he had used a sledgehammer, having wielded it lengthwise with the free end of its hollow cylindrical handle held uppermost, to reposition the locking ring of the fully inflated tyre. In all probability, the sudden release of highly pressurised air disloged the locking ring and forced the circular end of the handle into his right lower jaw, thereby fracturing the mandible and causing an acute hyperextension injury of the cervical spine, with resultant profound spinal shock and instantaneous death.