Citation

Copeland AR. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1989; 10(3): 196-199.

Affiliation

Office of the Medical Examiner, Metropolitan Dade County, Miami, FL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2782295

Abstract

A study of accidental railway-related fatalities was performed using the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during the years 1980-1984. The nine cases that were collected are presented here in some detail. A discussion ensues concerning the most common type of accidental railway-related fatalities, why they occur, and what future work remains in order to avoid such fatalities. Evidently, fatalities more frequently result from victims' disregard for safety--either by crossing the tracks despite warning, or by utilizing railroad trestles as a fishing pier--than from mass disaster. Future work involving forensic engineers, forensic pathologists, and lawyers along with community activists should include both public education and a design of less accessible trestles to avoid such tragedies. In conclusion, it is hoped that this article will serve as a catalyst for further research on this subject.

Language: en