Many survivors of Saturday's plane crash in port of entry have a stunning pattern of spine injuries that a doctor says shows however violently they were jolted despite carrying seat belts.
So far, 2 folks area unit unable to maneuver their legs — doctors do not however apprehend if the injury is permanent — and a number of other others have required surgery to stabilize their spines so that they will move, said Dr. Geoffrey Manley, surgical procedure chief at port of entry General Hospital United Nations agency is overseeing their care.
As of Monday evening, hospital officers same thirty one patients stay hospitalized, seven of them in crucial condition.
Among the worst injuries area unit crushed vertebrae that compress the medulla spinalis, and ligaments therefore stretched and torn that they can not hold neck and back joints in situ, Manley same in associate degree interview Monday.
That 305 of the 307 passengers and crew of the Asiana jet survived the crash is outstanding, and a sworn statement to enhancements in airline safety in recent years. over one hundred eighty folks visited hospitals with injuries, however solely alittle variety were critically cut.
Manley same even among people who suffered gentle spine trauma, he's affected by a pattern that shows however their higher bodies were flung forward so backward over the lap belts that unbroken them in their seats and beyond question saved their lives.
The injuries area unit somewhat harking back to the times before shoulder belts in cars, though rather more severe, said Dr. David Okonkwo of the University of urban center heart, United Nations agency is not attached the survivors' care.
Does that mean shoulder belts in a veryirplanes would forestall such injuries? Okonkwo same that is oversimplified considering what proportion additional speed and force area unit concerned in a plane crash. Shoulder belts may simply transfer that force to the neck, he cautioned.
"If you set within the shoulder belt, it'd simply move the injuries up any. Your head weighs an incredible quantity," united San Francisco's Manley. He hopes to review the difficulty, examination survivors' injuries to wherever they Sabbatum.
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The airline trade says adding three-point seatbelts to airplanes would need major changes to seat style that might mean higher airfares and fewer comfort.
Some business category seats have further a sort of shoulder restraint, however those seats area unit additional like beds and sometimes do not face forward.
Meanwhile, Okonkwo same presumptuous the "crash position" — leaning forward with the pinnacle as way down as doable and arms over it — will limit the spine rough back and forth and supply some protection. it isn't clear if any survivors of Saturday's crash had time to try to to therefore.
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