title: Traumatic transection. An unusual fatal pedestrian injury.
abstract: Speed, alcohol, and pedestrian injuries constitute disturbing components of the spectrum of trauma in the developing world. The complete fatal transection of a pedestrian, at the level of the lower abdomen, by an oncoming automobile traveling at high speed is described. The upper torso was found inside the vehicle, whereas the lower torso was projected some distance ahead, onto the highway. An accident analysis, in order to ascertain the speed of the automobile, is demonstrated and the biodynamic mechanisms of this injury are discussed. The nature of this injury is compared with that of traumatic hemipelvectomy following which survival has been reported.
authors: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Lerer
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*