Airway Trauma from Assault

As the duty anaesthetist, you receive a phone call from the emergency department physician at your regional hospital, requesting help with an incoming trauma patient. A 35-year-old male incarcerated person is being transferred by paramedics following an assault two hours ago whilst he was having his meal. He was kicked and punched in both the face and chest and there was an attempted strangulation. You are informed over the phone that the patient has difficulty breathing and has bruising and swelling to the front of his neck but otherwise appears stable. He has no allergies and is not on any medications. He smokes 10-15 cigarettes a day and has no significant medical history.