Retrospective Study on Railway-Related Deaths in South India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Deptartment of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, St. Peter’s Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute. Tamil Nādu, India

2 Deptartment of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute. Bangalore, India.

Abstract

Background: Railways form an important mode of transportation worldwide. People inIndiause the railway as an important means of transport as it is economical and easily availablebothfor local service and for distant modes of transportation. Along with the advantages that railwaysare providing as a mode of transport, railway deaths are one of the important fatal outcomesinthis part of the world. Aim of the work: To study railway-related deaths concerning age, sex, pattern of injuries, and causes of death. Methods: In the current study done in Bangalore, India, the autopsy and police records were scrutinized to collect information to obtain an overviewofdeaths occurring due to railway injuries and deaths occurring in trains. The study analysesseveral demographic factorial details and common regions of the body that are involvedinrailway-related deaths. Results: Apart from the common injuries encountered in railway-relateddeaths causing death, this study also gives information about type V of railway-relateddeaths(Unusual incidents). Conclusion: The railway-related deaths encountered include bothnatural
and unnatural causes. Recommendation: Strict rules and regulations should be initiatedalongwith safety measures from lawmakers to avoid accidents as well as suicides due torailwaydeaths, as the injuries sustained will be fatal in most cases

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