Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 4

Analysis of Railway Track Deaths-An Autopsy based Study

  • Author:
  • Prachi Ahuja1, H Pavanchand Shetty2,, Haneil L Dsouza2, Jagadish Rao Padubidri2, B Suresh Kumar Shetty3, Shashidhar Kotian4
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 228 to 231

13rd Year Student, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal

2Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal

3Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal

4Professor, Research Department, Srinivas University, Mangalore

*Corresponding author: Dr H Pavanchand Shetty, Associate professor, Department of forensic medicine, KMC, Mangalore. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, E-mail: pavanchandshetty@gmail.com

Online published on 27 November, 2019.

Abstract

Railways being one of the commonest mode of transportation, also has a risk of accidents associated to it. Retrospective analytical study was done to understand the type of injuries sustained and various factors associated with railway accidents.

Study Design-Retrospective analysis of autopsy reports of railway track accidents.

The study was carried out in forensic Medicine department of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.

205 autopsy reports of railway track accidents from 2007–2017.

A total of 205 railway accidents were observed between 2007 and 2017 out of which 93.7% of the deceased were males. Out of all the cases, 54(26.3%) belonged to age group 40–50 years, followed by 50(24.4%) in the age group 30–40 years. In 81.7% of cases, history of crossing the track was present. 39.5% of death occurred due to head injuries sustained by the victim. In 96% of cases the victim died on the spot. 1150 external injuries were observed out of which abrasions were the most common(34.5%). Head was the most common site for lacerations, contusions and fracture and abrasions were most commonly seen on the lower limb.

To reduce railway accidents the government has to implement awareness program and modify the infrastructure available which will facilitate the safety procedure.

Keywords

Railway accidents, Injuries, Postmortem report