The investigation of mass casualty incident: a case of crashing between the van and the trailer on the Mittraphap Road, Ban Haet District, Khon kaen Province, Thailand, 11 April 2021

Abstract

Background: On 11th November 2021, Office of Disease Prevention and Control 7 (ODPC7) was notified from Khon Kaen Provincial Health Office about the crashing between the van and the trailer on the Mittraphap Road, Ban Haet District, Khon kaen Province. Therefore, ODPC7 cooperated with Sirindhorn Hospital team to investigate the event on 12nd November 2021. The objectives were to confirm the event and the diagnosis, to describe the epidemiological characteristics, to identify the risk factors and to recommend the prevention and control measures.
Methods: The descriptive epidemiologic study was performed by reviewing the medical records, interviewing the patients, healthcare personnel and rescuers, observing the wreckage of the van, and identifying the risk factors of the accident and injury/death by Haddon Matrix Model. Environmental survey was also conducted.
Results: On 11th November 2021; 5.10 am, there was the crashing between the van and the trailer on the Mittraphap Road, Ban Haet District, Khonkaen Province. Total victims were 13 cases: the van 10 cases, the trailer 1 case and the pedestrian 1 case. Male were 7 cases and the rest were female. Mean age was 48 years (S.D. = 17.80 years) Two cases were died. The severity of injury: Severe 30.76% moderate 15.38% and mild 38.46%. Site of injury: Head 53.85% extremities 23.08% and face 15.38%. Wound: lacerated 30.77% abrasion 15.38% contusion 7.69% and opened fracture 46.15%. The risk factors of the accident were ‘the fatigue of the van driver’ and ‘no sign/signal was established at least 50 meters before the trailer parking space’. The risk factors of injury/death were ‘no passenger used the restrain’ and ‘the fixation of the van’ seats were not strong’.
Recommendations: We recommend 1) The drivers sleep enough before driving the vehicles, if you feel sleepy during driving, stop driving for a while in order to take a rest or a nap 2) The drivers put the traffic cone or road sign at least 50 meters before arriving the parking space beside the road and 3) The related agencies establish the recreation areas/parking lots for the travelers/vehicles during national long vacation time.