Original research paper Analysis of Railway Fatalities in ... - medIND

J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(4) ISSN 0971-0973
injuries to the chest occurred from forced compression
by the crush effect of the wheels of the trains.
Abdominal injuries are sustained following the
primary and secondary impact resulting in grave
injuries to the abdominal viscera.
Maximum numbers of fatalities were due to
injuries to vital organs 64.73 %, Shock and
hemorrhage alone in 19.65 %, head injury in 26 (15.02
%) cases and in only one case septicemia was the
cause of death. Maximum fatalities (84.38 %) were
due to hemorrhage and shock following injuries by the
train to the different vital parts of the body and the
crush amputation of the limbs, decapitation causing
hemorrhage and shock. Similar finding was observed
by. [2, 4-6]
Conclusion:
Most of the railway fatalities were
accidental in nature and in the bread earning age
group particularly among the males. The increasing
number of population, overcrowding in the trains,
reckless and careless behaviour of the passengers,
pedestrians and the train drivers towards safety norms
are the constant causes of railway fatalities. The high
levels of the railway fatalities make a strong case for
the necessary accident control interventions. Public as
well as the railway authorities must take some
measures to bring down these fatalities. People must
follow some easy set of laws like do not travel on
footboard, do not enter or get down from running
trains, do not try to cross the level crossing gate when
it is closed, be alert and reduce your speed while
approaching railway unmanned level crossing, never
guess the speed of the train and adhere to the set
norms of railway safety to curb this menace. The
railway authority must take some steps to prevent the
314
accidents by acknowledging the safety engineering,
training and awareness among staff, attentive
surveillance, high quality maintenance and strict law
enforcement.
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Table 2
Types of injuries in train victims
Anatomical Site Abrasion Contused Lacerated Contusion #/Crush/
abrasion Wound
amputation/decapitation
Head &face 4 35 85 10 72
Neck 2 4 6 3 27
Thorax anterior 2 36 9 6 40
Thorax posterior 3 13 4 3 17
Abdomen anterior 4 16 3 6 31
Abdomen posterior 6 11 9 1 22
Upper limb 12 37 21 4 102
Lower limb 16 37 39 3 105
Perineum region 8 1 5 0 17