Treadmill Accidents, Dave Goldberg's Cause of Death, Kill 3 Americans a Year

The death of David Goldberg, SurveyMonkey's CEO, was a tragic accident and came as a shock to his family and friends. Even though most injuries caused by treadmills are not as serious as Goldberg's accidental head trauma, some severe consequences caused by exercise equipment, including treadmills, could nonetheless land people in emergency rooms.

According to the report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there had been 30 reported treadmill-related fatalities spanning from 2003 to 2012. CPSC spokeswoman Kim Dulic told USA Today that hospital ER's all over the country treated more than 24,000 treadmill injuries in the last year. The injuries caused by treadmill included rectal bleeding, broken bones, abrasions, and chest pain for people who used the machine for exercise.

In 2012, more than 400,000 people were medically treated for exercise-related injuries using workout equipment, according to the department's data. Majority were released right away for minor injuries, while about 30,000 were admitted for hospitalization or died.

Injuries that resulted from falling of machines were rare according to several doctors. Most injuries from using exercise equipment were from overuse and improper handling.

"It's a very rare occurrence," said Dr. Joseph E. Herrera, director of sports and rehabilitation medicine from Mount Sinai Hospital. "But if it does happen, it can have severe consequences."

He considered treadmill machines to be the "riskiest" because it uses a motor to operate unlike manual stationary bicycles or elliptical machines, according to Food NDTV. To avoid accidents or injuries, safety precautions or steps should be taken. Some measures include proper handling of the equipment and checking with a health physician before undertaking any new fitness routine.

Last week, Goldberg was on a holiday in Mexico with his wife, family, and friends. He reportedly collapsed while using the treadmill and died from severe head trauma and blood loss, according to NY Times. He was 47 years old and survived by his wife, Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's Chief Operating Officer, and their two children.

Sandberg posted her tribute to her husband on the social networking site Facebook. Her heartfelt eulogy started with her thanking her family and friends for the support.

"I want to thank all of our friends and family for the outpouring of love over the past few days. It has been extraordinary - and each story you have shared will help keep Dave alive in our hearts and memories," she wrote.

She recounted her time together with her husband and expressed gratitude for every minute they had together for the past 11 years where she served as his wife and mother to their children. Her tribute ended with how it was only her husband's body that was put to rest.

"His spirit, his soul, his amazing ability to give is still with it. It lives on in the stories people are sharing of how he touched their lives, in the love that is visible in the eyes of our family and friends, in the spirit and resilience of our children. Things will never be the same - but the world is better for the years my beloved husband lived."