Suicidal acts on metro systems: an international perspective

Suicide is a problem experienced by railway networks worldwide. The epidemiology of this method of suicide has not been described in any detail. To investigate the characteristic features of railway suicide, data were gathered from 23 metro systems around the world. The similarities in the nature of this problem across systems were striking. Universally the victims were young (aged less than 40 years); most incidents involved men; case fatality was generally less than 60%; there was no consistent seasonal variation in incidence; the peak time of day for incidents was 1000-1200; proximity to psychiatric institutions was possibly a risk factor. This method of suicide may be prevented by environmental modification of the railway system. Strategies for reducing the opportunities for suicide on railways are discussed.