Road crash by public transport: Analysis from a bus accident case in Benin in 2019

Objective : Although public transport is not the highest contributor to road crashes in Benin, the morbidity and mortality associated with such accidents are very high. The work aimed to analyze a road crash involving an intercity bus that occurred on February 23, 2019 in Benin. Results : Mortality rate was 21.2%. The median age of patients admitted to the hospital was 36 years (27-45). The primary areas affected by the accident were the cephalic pole (51%) and more than 20% had a high injury severity score. The main risk factor contributing to the accident was speeding. Wearing a seatbelt was a factor found to impact the severity of the injuries endured. In order to implement intervention aimed at prevention, there needs to be sufficient research to identify the most pressing risk factors involved in accidents occurring on public transportation.

Injury Patterns After the Landslide Disaster in Oshima, Tokyo, Japan on October 16, 2013

IntroductionLandslides represent a frequent and threatening natural disaster. The aim of this study was to investigate the injury patterns observed after a landslide and to discuss how to minimize the damage caused by a landslide disaster.MethodsA landslide occurred on Oshima Island, Japan, on October 16, 2013. A total of 49 victims with landslide-related injuries were identified and analyzed.ResultsThe patients ranged in age from 5 to 89 years with an average age of 61.0±19.3 years. Of all patients, 69.4% were triaged as black. Of 15 patients who were treated in the nearest hospital (the only hospital on the island), 8 were triaged as red and yellow with severe chest or pelvic injury and a high Injury Severity Score (average score, 25.6; range, 4–45). Of these, 75% had chest injury and 75% had pelvic injury. The percentage of chest and/or pelvic injury was 100% in patients triaged as red or yellow. Traumatic asphyxia was diagnosed in 62.5% of these patients.ConclusionsCompression of the trunk was the main injury in patients triaged as red or yellow after this landslide disaster. Evacuation in advance, the rapid launch of emergency medical support, and knowledge of this specific injury pattern are essential to minimize the potential damage resulting from landslide disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:248–252)