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‘Pugilistic Stance’ Noted in Paul Walker Autopsy

An autopsy of Paul Walker has found that the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise actor died in a “pugilistic stance,” and suffered multiple fractures throughout his body including his jaw, co...
‘Pugilistic Stance’ Noted in Paul Walker Autopsy
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  • An autopsy of Paul Walker has found that the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise actor died in a “pugilistic stance,” and suffered multiple fractures throughout his body including his jaw, collarbone, left upper arm, ribs and pelvis, according to the coroner’s report that was obtained by TMZ.

    Walker perished in a car wreck on November 30 due to the “combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries” he’d received. Roger Rodas, the driver the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT involved in the accident, died upon impact, of “multiple traumatic injuries.”

    Walker, 40, was found in a defensive position called the “pugilistic stance” boxers use during fights, and his body was so badly burned that no organs were available for donation. The Medical Dictionary defines the ‘pugilisitc stance ‘ as what is typically seen in severely burned bodies, characterized by flexion of elbows, knees, hips and neck, and clenching of hands into fists. It is caused by high-temperatures from fires, resulting in muscle stiffening and shortening. The stance occurs even if the person was dead before the fire.

    The coronor’s report also stated that Walker had “scant soot in (his) trachea,” which suggests the actor might have taken a few breaths post-impact. The report also stated that Walker had 14% carbon monoxide saturation in his system, with the normal level sitting at around 2%, and that driver Rodas had 10%.

    The report also stated that the the Porsche the men were in was traveling at over 100 miles per hour at the time of the crash, spun 180 degrees, hit a tree and was torn nearly in half before exploding into flames.

    Donations can be made to Walker’s charity, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), via the ROWW website.

    Image via YouTube.

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