Fatalities Discussion

[thenorthern]

Well if they were riding a bike on the platform (which is illegal) then they got what they deserved. I've had several near misses (some at high speed) with idiots riding bikes on the platform edge and then wobbling as I blast a warning on the horns.

They have some pictures at Deansgate which show why people shouldn't cycle on the platforms which I think are very well thought out.

Are most fatalities on the railways Suicides or just tragic accidents?

 

[Antman]

Well if they were riding a bike on the platform (which is illegal) then they got what they deserved. I've had several near misses (some at high speed) with idiots riding bikes on the platform edge and then wobbling as I blast a warning on the horns.

I don't think anybody deserves serious injury for illegally cycling on the platform, haven't we all done something stupid at sometime?

 

[455driver]

The vast majority are intentional.

 

[Antman]

Is it higher or are people here noticing it more due too the number of threads started on the issue and are posters searching more in depth to post a thread?
Have people outside this forum noticed an increase? If I hadn't logged on here the last few weeks I doubt I would have been aware of any of theses incidents.
Has it increased to an extent as to no longer being newsworthy by the mainstream media anymore?

I was aware of the Bridgend suicides as they were out of the ordinary and became a news item.
Gary Speed's brought it too the attention of the public due to his placid personality who was genuinely liked by everyone and was seen as the last person to do it.
Personally I have found that the number of People I know to have killed themselves, suspected too have, or tried too is the same as it always has. Railway related or not.
Due too the increased safety at level crossings I'd have expected that fatalities at them would have decreased, is this the case?

I think there has undoubtedly been an increase both on the railway and elsewhere, in fact they are such a regular occurrence that they are barely newsworthy outside of the local area.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

but most clinically depressed people will be under some sort of medical supervision.

Unlikely.

 

[thenorthern]

but most clinically depressed people will be under some sort of medical supervision.

Nope its very hard to get psychological treatment on the NHS, I know many trusts who refuse to help people with many conditions because they don't fit their criteria. As I have said before though the type of jobs that have the highest suicide rates are well paid professional people who may not want to admit they have a problem, Remember Robert Enke, Gary Speed and Robin Williams.

I know that sadly railway suicides are almost inevitable but I just hope that this trend is only a blip and next week the number of suicides will start dropping again.

 

[najaB]

As I have said before though the type of jobs that have the highest suicide rates are well paid professional people who may not want to admit they have a problem, Remember Robert Enke, Gary Speed and Robin Williams.

It used to be that vets and farmers actually had the highest rate, followed by doctors, bankers and executives... Strange but true.

 

[thenorthern]

It used to be that vets and farmers actually had the highest rate, followed by doctors, bankers and executives... Strange but true.

It depends on who gives the figures but those 4 are normally around top as are Lawyers and Dentists, students I would say make up a large number of suicides a well. I am happy to see transport workers are never anywhere near the top ten.

One thing I have noticed is the railways are becoming very good at dealing with suicides where now on the WCML at most times they can immediately divert all trains away from the incidents to keep the railways moving but in an ideal world they wouldn't need to do this.

 

[Saint66]

Another person struck by a train at St Albans this morning.

 

[ExRes]

I'm not sure why it should be a surprise that many suicides are professionals or executives, it doesn't take much to see the appalling increase in the use of things like cocaine and the abuse of alcohol, mostly you need money to immerse yourself in that lifestyle and if the money supply begins to dry up then individuals and their families fall apart very quickly

 

[trainophile]

I would think that being struck by a train would be an appalling way to die. Almost any of the alternatives would involve less potential for things not to work out as intended, with horrific results.

It almost makes me wonder whether there is an element of maximising the disruption they cause, as a way of getting their own back on the society that they perceive has failed them.

If, god forbid, I ever became so depressed that I wanted to end my life, I'd be far too cowardly to do it that way.

 

[Saint66]

The St Albans fatality may not be as clear as first thought: http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/11501792.Woman_s_body_found_on_railway_line_in_St_Albans/

All lines have reopened after a the body of a woman was found on the railway line between Harpenden and St Albans.

British Transport Police were called at just after 6.45am to reports of a body near to Ronsons Way, St Albans.

Kit Bradshaw said on behalf of British Transport Police: "Colleagues from Hertfordshire Constabulary and East of England Ambulance Service also attended, and discovered the body of a woman.

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances leading up to their death.


"The incident is currently being treated as unexplained."

There were delays of up to 45 minutes while emergency services attended the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident number 55 of 29/09/2014, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Although, it just may turn out that they were struck during darkness and therefore it isn't immediately as clear...

 

[GarethJohn]

I would think that being struck by a train would be an appalling way to die. Almost any of the alternatives would involve less potential for things not to work out as intended, with horrific results.

It almost makes me wonder whether there is an element of maximising the disruption they cause, as a way of getting their own back on the society that they perceive has failed them.

If, god forbid, I ever became so depressed that I wanted to end my life, I'd be far too cowardly to do it that way.

Suicide or other If people had a choice then a quick death would be many's preferred option rather than one that might take a bit more time.
A High Bridge, Building, Cliff or Pills can take a bit more effort and thought before carrying it through.
The occupations with the highest rates are possibly the ones that have the easiest access to a way of killing oneself with a conciseness of not immediately involving others in the act .
Doctor; Pills, Vet; Pills, Fire Arms; Farmer; Firearms.

I very much doubt that anything more than very,very small amount will choose a Train out of revenge.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Just to add my two pence in.
It isn't just those with depression. You have a whole range of mental illnesses that can lead to someone committing suicide (personality disorders etc etc). Sometimes it is a thought out plan, sometime it is a cry for help, sometimes the person just can't control their actions.
Mental health care in this country is a total and utter joke and it something we really should be ashamed of. Until that changes we won't see any reduction in suicides.

 

[Antman]

Mental health care in this country is a total and utter joke and it something we really should be ashamed of. Until that changes we won't see any reduction in suicides.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[cf111]

Just to add my two pence in.
It isn't just those with depression. You have a whole range of mental illnesses that can lead to someone committing suicide (personality disorders etc etc). Sometimes it is a thought out plan, sometime it is a cry for help, sometimes the person just can't control their actions.
Mental health care in this country is a total and utter joke and it something we really should be ashamed of. Until that changes we won't see any reduction in suicides.

Very good points. It's always worth bearing in mind that if someone is willing to take their life, overriding every survival mechanism we have, then they aren't thinking rationally. People who commit suicide are often described as "selfish", which I feel is very unfair as it's attempting to apply a normal mental framework to someone who isn't thinking rationally.

 

[WelshBluebird]

I couldn't agree more!

The sad thing is most people can't see it. Hell I was totally ignorant to how bad it was until I was with my ex (who at least in June this year was still undiagnosed after around 7 years because doctors won't take her seriously).

 

[ian959]

The sad thing is most people can't see it. Hell I was totally ignorant to how bad it was until I was with my ex (who at least in June this year was still undiagnosed after around 7 years because doctors won't take her seriously).

Unfortunately that is the reaction of far too many general practitioners it seems. They simply don't have the skills to identify it in many cases.

 

[thenorthern]

According to the an article today there were 304 last year.
http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2014/annual-safety-review/

We can only hope though that this number starts to fall again.

 

[455driver]

According to the an article today there were 304 last year.
http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2014/annual-safety-review/

We can only hope though that this number starts to fall again.

Not this year it wont!

 

[Abpj17]

The St Albans fatality may not be as clear as first thought: http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/11501792.Woman_s_body_found_on_railway_line_in_St_Albans/



Although, it just may turn out that they were struck during darkness and therefore it isn't immediately as clear...

It's a mile and a half north of St Albans station. Most 'fatalities' are at the station?

 

[Latecomer]

It's a mile and a half north of St Albans station. Most 'fatalities' are at the station?

I'm not sure of the point you're making. It's not at all unusual for people to seek out areas where they can gain trackside access away from the eyes of others. If anything such actions might indicate an even greater degree of intent as they are less likely to be approached by anyone concerned about their behaviour.

It's still a desperate act and very sad for all concerned. There are however probably more examples than you might think of instances where people carry out their act away from the observation of others and even go to some lengths to try to make sure the driver of the train doesn't see them either.

 

[Antman]

The sad thing is most people can't see it. Hell I was totally ignorant to how bad it was until I was with my ex (who at least in June this year was still undiagnosed after around 7 years because doctors won't take her seriously).

I was exactly the same, I have a 19 year old neice who is struggling with bi polar and that has certainly been a real eye opener
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Unfortunately that is the reaction of far too many general practitioners it seems. They simply don't have the skills to identify it in many cases.

The skills or the time, it is usually a job for specialist

 

[GarethJohn]

I was exactly the same, I have a 19 year old neice who is struggling with bi polar and that has certainly been a real eye opener
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The skills or the time, it is usually a job for specialist

Some Patients may also be wary of being diagnosed with depression as it will show up on their medical records.
And particularly men see it as weakness and will not admit to it to close friends let alone visit a GP.
I wonder what the % of Male to Female suicide is?

 

[Saint66]

Just some follow up to the St Albans fatality:

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/new...in_St_Albans_was_55_year_old_French_national/

The body of a 55-year-old French woman was found after being hit by a train between Harpenden and St Albans.

Emergency services were called at just after 6.45am on Monday to reports of a body near to Ronsons Way.


Paramedics pronounced the casualty dead at the scene.

Kit Bradshaw said on behalf of British Transport Police: "The incident is not being treated as suspicious and the woman’s family has been informed.

"A file will be prepared for the coroner."

Hertfordshire Constabulary also attended the scene to help recover the body and ensure others’ safety.

There were delays of up to 45 minutes on the Thameslink line between Luton and St Pancras International while emergency services attended the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident number 55 of 29/09/2014, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

 

[thenorthern]

I wonder what the % of Male to Female suicide is?

For men its much higher I think twice as much.

 

[PHILIPE]

Another between Swansea and Llanelli today.

 

[Temple Meads]

And another at Topsham foot crossing last night.

 

[cf111]

Some Patients may also be wary of being diagnosed with depression as it will show up on their medical records.
And particularly men see it as weakness and will not admit to it to close friends let alone visit a GP.
I wonder what the % of Male to Female suicide is?

More men commit suicide than women - the statistics collected by the Samaritans for 2012 can be found here: http://www.samaritans.org/sites/def...Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2014.pdf

Males: 4590
Females: 1391

 

[Robertj21a]

Another between Swansea and Llanelli today.

Another near Wellingborough today.