“Falling coconuts can cause injury to the head, back, and shoulders. A 4-year review of trauma admissions to the Provincial Hospital, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, revealed that 2.5% of such admissions were due to being struck by falling coconuts. Since mature coconut palms may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may weigh 1 to 4 kg, blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible. Four patients with head injuries due to falling coconuts are described. Two required craniotomy. Two others died instantly in the village after being struck by dropping nuts.”
Thanks to Ian for today’s ROFL!
August 26th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
It's unusual to those of us who live far away from coconut palms, but I'd hardly consider it to be funny. Head trauma ≠ ROFL
August 26th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
"Since mature coconut palms may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may weigh 1 to 4 kg, blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible."
August 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
agree with drpantzo: definitely NOT funny!
August 27th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
So what's the upshot? Do we need to increase the African swallow population in areas with Coconut palms? This would be ROFL if it were Monty Python related. Come back when someone does a study to determine whether a swallow could actually "grip it by the husk".
September 1st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I know the author of this paper. It's a serious matter. Absolutely, head trauma is not funny.
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
My neice who was 8 months old was hit by the coconut on the head. Her grandmother brought her outside the house, then they didn't notice that the coconut fall off..I hate coconuts because it can kill humans. My 8 months old neice is under observation. This is happened in the philippines