Accidental decapitation – An urban legend turned true

Abstract This is a rare case of complete decapitation involving a 78-year-old bus passenger. All the occupants of the bus except the driver, sustained multiple injuries and died on the spot. An old man was decapitated in the accident. His head was recovered outside the mangled remains of the vehicle and the rest of the body was in the seat of the damaged vehicle. Evaluation of roadside evidence and the deceased injuries revealed that the victim was holding his head outside a window as the vehicle spun out of control, decapitation being due to the impact of his head against a tree on the side of the road. Literature survey and the examination of injuries in this case have allowed us to conclude what the decapitation causing mechanism was. An unfastened seat-belt, high-speed driving and the construction of the road barrier were contributory factors.

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