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Impact on life after a major bus crash--a qualitative study of survivors' experiences
Isabelle Doohan1, Britt-Inger Saveman
1Centre for Research and Development in Disaster Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences, Section of Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Background:
Crashes occur regularly throughout the world and can result in multiple fatalities and many injuries. Research into how survivors experience a crash is very limited.
Aim:
To describe and analyse the nonphysical consequences of a multifatality bus crash in Sweden and the subsequent effect on the surviving passengers' lives.
Method:
The participants were all (n = 56) of the survivors of a major bus crash. The passengers were interviewed approximately one month after the bus crash. The interviews were analysed using a qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Prior to the arrival of rescue personnel at the crash site, helpfulness emerged among the passengers. Further, the crash generated an impact on the surviving passengers' lives from a short-term perspective. The passengers displayed a diverse need for crisis support; informal support from family and friends was essential for the early healing process. Sleep difficulties and a change in travel routines were the most common consequences. Lastly, passengers sought closure in order to move on with their lives.
Conclusion:
The passengers' reactions to and behaviour following a crash offer an insight into the, relatively unexplored, interaction between people experiencing a major road traffic crash. It is necessary to have a flexible crisis support system, and the vital role of family support ought to be upgraded.
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