A Decade of Train-Pedestrian Fatalities: the Charleston Experience

This article reports on a retrospective analysis of 25 consecutive train-pedestrian fatalities in South Carolina. The distinction between accident & suicide can only be made after careful evaluation of the history, scene investigations, & autopsy/toxicological findings. Victims were predominantly healthy young males. In 88% of cases, cause of death was massive blunt trauma. Ethanol intoxication was detected in 80% of the cases. Decapitation (1 case) is highly suggestive of suicide. (9 Refs.)