An epidemiological and medicolegal study of death on railway track: 5 years retrospective study in Varanasi, India

Introduction: A train accident is defined as a collision, derailment, or any other event involving the operation of on-track equipments. Railway injuries are mostly accidental. Objective of the Study: Aims to understanding the incidence and impact of railway fatalities in Varanasi, India as well as identifying preventive strategies to reduce their number and impact. Material & method: The present retrospective study has been conducted for the period of 5 consecutive years i.e. 2009 to 2013 based on autopsy record of the unnatural death cases resulting from death on railway track. During study period total number of unnatural death cases was 10185 and death on railway track were 687. Result: Railway fatalities reported 6.7% of all unnatural death. Most of the deaths in 21 to 30 years of age group total (26 %). In our study find that female death on railway track dominated over male in the ratio of male to female 1:1.3. In our study shows that most of the death on railway track is accidental in manner (88%), suicidal (10%), and unknown (1 %). Percentages of total death on railway track are average 20% per year. Death on railway track is more common in rural areas (97%) than urban areas (2%). Hindu death on railway track is most common i.e. 63%. Conclusion: Analysis of data for retrospective study suggests that age, sex, habitat, marital status, religion and manner of death significantly affect community.