91-year-old woman survives rare 'internal decapitation' after crash

91-year-old woman survives rare 'internal decapitation' after crash AVONDALE, Ariz. (KNXV/CNN NEWSOURCE/WKRC) - A married Arizona couple in their 90s is recovering after surviving a serious car crash that left the wife with a rare injury known as an "internal decapitation," a condition that is often fatal. Gary and Martha Ramer, who have been married for more than 70 years, were injured last month while driving to visit family in Casa Grande. According to Gary Ramer, their vehicle crashed into a ditch after he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The crash totaled the couple's Subaru and left both with neck injuries. Martha Ramer, 91, suffered the most severe trauma and was airlifted to a hospital. Doctors later diagnosed her with an internal decapitation, a rare injury in which the ligaments connecting the skull to the spine are torn. “An internal decapitation is when the... ligaments that support the skull are torn completely,” said Dr. Bruno Subbarao of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital. “Statistically, about 70% of individuals who have that, it's immediately fatal.” Because of the severity of the injury, hospice care was initially recommended. However, after receiving a second medical opinion and learning she still had movement in much of her body, Martha and her family chose rehabilitation instead. The couple spent 15 days in rehab and credit their recovery to faith, determination and medical care. “We're already ahead,” Gary Ramer said. “We have hope.” The Ramers are continuing their recovery at an assisted living facility and hope to eventually return home.