Most Common Causes of SCI
LAND TRANSPORT
39%
This includes motor vehicle, motor-cycle and quad-bike accidents.
This figure also includes accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.
Falls from roofs, down multiple stairs / steps, off ladders, verandahs, balconies, walls, scaffolding and trampolines.
People over 65 are most at risk of injury from low falls (from a height of 1 metre or less).
FALLS
39%
WATER RELATED
7%
The majority of injuries result from diving into shallow water at the beach or in pools, from surfing and water-skiing accidents.
87.5% of water related spinal cord injuries result in incomplete tetraplegia.
These are injuries sustained from various causes including injuries inflicted from an assault, other accidents involving machinery etc.
OTHER CAUSES
4%
SPORTING
8%
4% of injuries from football, predominantly rugby.
4% of injuries came from falling or being thrown from a horse, or falling from a horse-drawn cart.
People hit by heavy falling objects, most commonly tree branches.
75% of people hit by heavy falling objects were male.
HIT BY AN OBJECT
3%
LAND TRANSPORT
39%
This includes motor vehicle, motor-cycle and quad-bike accidents.
This figure also includes accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.
FALLS
39%
Falls from roofs, down multiple stairs / steps, off ladders, verandahs, balconies, walls, scaffolding and trampolines.
People over 65 are most at risk of injury from low falls (from a height of 1 metre or less).
WATER RELATED
7%
The majority of injuries result from diving into shallow water at the beach or in pools, from surfing and water-skiing accidents.
– 87.5% of water related spinal cord injuries result in incomplete tetraplegia.
OTHER CAUSES
4 %
These are injuries sustained from various causes including injuries inflicted from an assault, other accidents involving machinery etc.
SPORTING
8%
4% of injuries from football, predominantly rugby.
4% of injuries came from falling or being thrown from a horse, or falling from a horse-drawn cart.
HIT BY AN OBJECT
3%
People hit by heavy falling objects, most commonly tree branches.
– 75% of people hit by heavy falling objects were male.
Source: AIHW: Tovell A 2020. Spinal cord injury, Australia, 2016-17. Injury research and statistics series no. 129. Cat. no. INJCAT 209. Canberra:AIHW.