Multiple Injuries Sustained When Hit by a Truck While Playing the Smartphone Game Pokemon Go.

Dear Editor,

In a recent issue of the journal, Chong et al. published an interesting review of the smartphone game “Pokemon Go,” which combines the use of mobile phone technology with physical exploration in the real world.[1] We encountered a 27-year-old male who sustained multiple injuries after being hit by a truck while playing Pokemon Go. As he was unable to walk due to back and hip pain, he was transferred to our hospital. He had no significant medical or family history. On arrival, he had clear consciousness, his blood pressure was 134/80 mmHg, his heart rate was 72 beats/min, and his oxygen saturation level was 99% under room air. A physiological study revealed a head contusion and left shoulder, left back, and hip tenderness. An electrocardiogram was normal. Chest and pelvic X-ray showed no notable findings, but whole-body computed tomography revealed left clavicular, sternum, and left multiple rib fractures with lung contusions and iliac wing fracture [Figure 1]. He underwent transarterial embolization for the pelvic fracture. All fractures were treated conservatively, and he obtained a survival outcome.

Figure 1

Whole-body computed tomography on arrival. Computed tomography revealed left clavicular, sternum, and left multiple rib fractures with lung contusions and iliac wing fracture

This was the second case of a traumatized pedestrian reported in English, as most medical reports have used the Internet or Twitter records.[23] A 33-year-old Japanese male also died due to multiple traumatic injuries after being run over and dragged on the road by a driver, who was playing Pokemon Go.[4] The smartphone game, Pokemon Go, may have favorable effects on physical and mental health, but this case and similar previous ones demonstrate the hazards facing pedestrians who may be hit or become involved in road accidents, due either to playing Pokemon Go themselves while crossing the road or to drivers being distracted by the game.[1]

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Financial support and sponsorship

This manuscript received financial support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities, 2015–2019 concerning (the constitution of total researching system for comprehensive disaster, medical management, corresponding to wide-scale disaster).

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.