Analysis of railway fatalities in central India.

ABSTRACT

A two year retrospective study of railway related fatal cases has been carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur. Railway fatality cases were stand for 5.99% (Total 173) of all autopsies (n=2888) conducted during the period of January 2001 to December 2002. The fatalities were predominantly seen in the males. Male to female ratio was 8.621. The maximum numbers of victims were in the age group of 20-49 years (n= 120 cases, 69.34%). Majority of victims died on the spot (96.53%). Maximum number of railway fatalities were accidental (91.32 %) followed by the suicidal (8.68 %) in nature, whereas none of the homicidal railway fatalities noted. Crush injuries were found mostly over lower limbs followed by the upper limb then over the face and head. Maximum victims (84.38 %) died due to hemorrhage and shock following injuries to the vital organs.