Railway suicide in England and Wales 2000-2013: a time-trends analysis.

Anna K Taylor,Duleeka W Knipe,Kyla H Thomas

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2944-x

Anna K Taylor, Duleeka W Knipe + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2944-x

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Abstract

BackgroundIn 2010, the “Tackling Suicide on the Railways” programme was launched as a joint initiative among Network Rail, the Samaritans and other key organisations such as the British Transport Police and train operators to achieve a 20 % reduction in railway suicides from 2010 to 2015 in Great Britain. We report the most recent age and sex specific trends in railway suicide in England and Wales from 2000 to 2013 and examine whether the initiative’s target reduction in railway suicides is likely to be achieved.MethodsPopulation data and suicide mortality data (all methods combined and railway) for England and Wales were obtained from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and used to calculate age and gender specific rates for deaths registered from 2000 to 2013. Data on railway suicides were also obtained from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and compared with ONS data. We used joinpoint regression to identify changes in suicide trends across the study period.ResultsThe railway was used in 4.1 % of all suicides in England and Wales (RSSB data were similar to ONS data for most years). Suicides in all persons from all causes decreased from 2000 to 2007, with small increases from 2008 until 2013; this rise was entirely due to an increase in male suicides. Railway suicide rates increased over the entire study period; the proportion of railway suicides in all persons increased from 3.5 to 4.9 % during the study period. This trend was also mainly driven by increases in male suicides as female railway suicide rates remained steady over time. The highest age specific railway suicide rates were observed in middle aged men and women. Although there was no conclusive evidence of an increase in ONS railway suicides, RSSB data showed a statistically significant increase in railway suicides in males from 2009 onwards.ConclusionThe continued rise in male railway suicide in England and Wales is concerning, particularly due to the high economic costs and psychological trauma associated with these deaths. The initiative’s target of a 20 % reduction in railway suicide is unlikely to be achieved.

Highlights

In 2010, the “Tackling Suicide on the Railways” programme was launched as a joint initiative amongNetwork Rail, the Samaritans and other key organisations such as the British Transport Police and train operators to achieve a 20 % reduction in railway suicides from 2010 to 2015 in Great Britain
The railway was used in 4.1 % of all suicides in England and Wales (RSSB data were similar to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for most years)
Railway suicide rates increased over the entire study period; the proportion of railway suicides in all persons increased from 3.5 to 4.9 % during the study period

Summary

Introduction

Network Rail, the Samaritans and other key organisations such as the British Transport Police and train operators to achieve a 20 % reduction in railway suicides from 2010 to 2015 in Great Britain. Railway suicide is a relatively uncommon method of suicide worldwide; between 1 and 10 % of all suicides involve the railway [1]. It is a highly lethal method of suicide, with a reported case fatality rate of. Each railway suicide in the UK is estimated to cost approximately £61,000; the yearly financial cost to the rail industry was estimated to be £50 million in 2005. The prevention of railway suicides is a priority for the rail industry.

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