Tram-related injuries in Sheffield

The aim of this study was to identify the number of accidents and types of injury related to the Supertram system in Sheffield. Data was collected prospectively over an 18 month period, commencing in April 1994, on all patients attending the Accident and Emergency department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital whose injuries were related to the tram system. Ninety patients were included in the study, 54 males and 36 females with a median age of 39 years (range 16-82), representing approximately 0.13% of the patients attending the department during the study period. Forty one patients were cyclists, twenty three pedestrians, twelve were motorists or motorcyclists and fourteen sustained injuries due to ongoing construction work. Thirty one patients sustained fractures, most commonly involving the upper limb/shoulder girdle (63%), with cyclists suffering 83% of these serious upper limb injuries. Following assessment 38 patients were discharged, 29 patients were referred to fracture clinic, 12 were sent for physiotherapy and 11 admitted to hospital. Eight patients required a total of 13 operations during the study period. We have demonstrated a significant number of injuries in this study related to the tram system in Sheffield. Cyclists appear to be the group at highest risk, followed by pedestrians and motor vehicle users. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.