Citation

Doohan I, Saveman BI. Scand. J. Caring Sci. 2014; 28(1): 155-163.

Affiliation

Centre for Research and Development in Disaster Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences, Section of Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Nordic College of Caring Science, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/scs.12040

PMID

23527479

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Crashes occur regularly throughout the world and can result in multiple fatalities and many injuries. Research into how survivors experience a crash is very limited. AIM: To describe and analyse the nonphysical consequences of a multifatality bus crash in Sweden and the subsequent effect on the surviving passengers' lives. METHOD: The participants were all (n = 56) of the survivors of a major bus crash. The passengers were interviewed approximately one month after the bus crash. The interviews were analysed using a qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Prior to the arrival of rescue personnel at the crash site, helpfulness emerged among the passengers. Further, the crash generated an impact on the surviving passengers' lives from a short-term perspective. The passengers displayed a diverse need for crisis support; informal support from family and friends was essential for the early healing process. Sleep difficulties and a change in travel routines were the most common consequences. Lastly, passengers sought closure in order to move on with their lives. CONCLUSION: The passengers' reactions to and behaviour following a crash offer an insight into the, relatively unexplored, interaction between people experiencing a major road traffic crash. It is necessary to have a flexible crisis support system, and the vital role of family support ought to be upgraded.

Language: en