A Retrospective Study of Deaths Due to Railway Accidents Autopsied in A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Tripura

Background: Railway accidents remain a significant cause of unnatural deaths in India, posing major public health, medico-legal, and socioeconomic challenges.Understanding the demographic profile, manner of death, and injury patterns is essential for prevention.The aim is to analyze the demographic characteristics, manner of death, injury patterns, and causes of death in railway accident fatalities autopsied at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Tripura, and to suggest preventive measures.Methods: This retrospective study included all railway accident cases subjected to medico-legal autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Agartala Government Medical College & GBP Hospital, Tripura, from January 2017 to December 2023.A total of 60 cases were analyzed.Results: The majority of victims were aged 21-30 years (36.67%).Most of the victims belonged to lower socioeconomic strata, with laborers being the most affected occupational group.Accidental deaths constituted 73.33%, while suicidal deaths accounted for 26.67%.Crush injuries (38.33%) and decapitation (30%) were the most common injury patterns.Hemorrhagic shock (56.67%) was the leading cause of death.Conclusion: Railway fatalities predominantly affect young, economically productive males from socioeconomically vulnerable backgrounds.Most deaths are accidental and occur at the scene due to severe injuries such as crush injuries and decapitation, resulting in rapid fatality.