Throughout 9-1-1’s eight seasons, the first responders have had to face many gruesome injuries, and although Amber slashing Maddie’s throat is among the worst, the show has featured many more horrifying incidents. During the two-part midseason premiere of 9-1-1 in March 2025, Amber (a detective with dissociative identity disorder) kidnaps Maddie and cuts her throat during an altercation. Thankfully, Chimney and Athena arrive just in time. Athena shoots and kills Amber, saving Maddie, who is later treated for her wounds at the hospital at the end of 9-1-1 season 8, episode 10. So, Maddie survives (with a gnarly scar on her throat, unfortunately), just like other 9-1-1 characters who have suffered terrible injuries. However, some haven’t been so lucky. Many succumb to their deadly wounds while the firefighters and paramedics of Station 118 treat them. It’s all based on the severity of their injuries (of course). Numerous emergencies in the procedural drama series have been quite extreme, often resulting in 9-1-1 viewers having to look away from their TV screens because the scenes are just too grotesque.
Chimney Getting Skewered By A Pole Through His Forehead
9-1-1 Season 1, Episode 3 9-1-1 has never shied away from putting its main characters in great danger, starting early in the series with Chimney’s accident in season 1, episode 3, “Next of Kin.” When Chimney gets into a fight with Bobby, he goes for a drive to settle down. Unfortunately, his car crashes into a barrier on the road, resulting in a truck carrying steel poles rear-ending him. In the chaos, one of the rods punctures Chimney from behind. It’s wedged in his seat’s headrest and into his skull, coming out of the firefighter’s forehead. Chimney ultimately survives the accident. However, this is the first terrifying incident in the procedural drama (at least, when it comes to the main characters). It’s horrifying to see the rebar sticking out of Chimney’s forehead while he’s awake and hauntingly calm. Perhaps some were sure Maddie was going to die in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 10, but it’s truly a miracle that Chimney survived the car crash in season 1.
If you’re a fan of the hit show 9-1-1, you know that it doesn’t hold back on the gore. Maddie’s throat injury was enough to make anyone squirm, but trust us—it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Over the years, this show has delivered some of the most gruesome, gut-churning injuries ever seen on network television. From freak accidents to life-or-death rescues, here are 10 injuries that will make you thankful for your own uneventful day.
1. The Rebar Impalement
Imagine falling from a construction site and landing straight onto a steel rebar. One of the most terrifying cases in 9-1-1 history involved just that. The victim was pierced through the abdomen, and every moment of the rescue was agonizing to watch.
2. The Firefighter’s Crushed Hand
In an emotional and brutal scene, a firefighter’s hand gets trapped under a collapsing structure. The worst part? The decision to amputate on the spot to save his life. The tension was unbearable!
3. The Elevator Decapitation Scare
Elevator accidents are the stuff of nightmares, and 9-1-1 played on that fear when a man’s head was nearly severed as the elevator doors closed. The intensity of the rescue had viewers gripping their seats.
4. The Pool Drain Disaster
A swimmer’s body got partially sucked into a high-powered pool drain, causing internal injuries that left viewers absolutely horrified. This scene was so graphic it had fans talking for weeks.
5. The Car Crash Amputation
A high-speed crash led to a woman’s leg being pinned between metal and glass. When emergency responders arrived, the only way to save her was to amputate on the scene. Brutal.
6. The Ice Skate Throat Slash
A freak accident on an ice rink led to a skater’s throat being sliced open by a sharp blade. The race to stop the bleeding was one of the most intense moments in the show’s history.
7. The Chainsaw Incident
A lumberjack accident led to a man having a chainsaw embedded in his shoulder. The sheer realism of this injury left many fans watching through their fingers.
8. The Nail Gun Horror
A construction worker suffered multiple puncture wounds when a nail gun misfired. Nails to the face? It doesn’t get much worse than that!
9. The Chemical Burn Catastrophe
A factory explosion left a worker with devastating chemical burns, melting his skin in one of the most visually disturbing scenes of the series.
10. The Snake Bite from Hell
In an unexpected and bizarre accident, a man was bitten by a highly venomous snake while reaching into a drain. The swelling, the panic, and the near-death moment made this one of the scariest injuries in 9-1-1 history.
Why 9-1-1’s Injuries Feel So Real
The magic of 9-1-1 lies in its dedication to realism. The show’s creators work closely with medical experts and first responders to make sure every injury feels authentic. Add top-tier special effects, and it’s no wonder fans sometimes feel like they’re watching a real-life emergency unfold.
How the Show Balances Gore and Emotion
While 9-1-1 never shies away from showing gruesome injuries, it also dives deep into the emotional impact. It’s not just about the pain—it’s about survival, resilience, and the incredible heroes who save lives.
Conclusion: Can You Handle the Next Emergency?
If Maddie’s throat injury shocked you, these other moments from 9-1-1 probably left you speechless. But if there’s one thing fans know, it’s that this show always finds new ways to keep our hearts racing. Buckle up—because the next gruesome injury is just an episode away.
