THE INJURED MOTOR CYCLE MESSENGER

Injured motor cycle messengers make up a small but significant proport ion of the young injured attending Central London accident and emergen cy (A&E) departments. The study confirms that the pattern of their inj uries is similar to other injured urban motor cyclists, and discusses the background of the injured, in terms of experience and training, hi ghlighting the frequency of injury and possible predisposing factors. A total of 116 injured motor cycle messengers attending two Central Lo ndon A&E departments over a 10-month period were studied. Thirteen per cent sustained sufficiently serious injuries to necessitate admission , the rest were treated as out-patients for lesser injuries. The mean age was 23. Only 18% had received any formal training and 31% were in possession of a provisional driving licence only. Fifty-eight per cent had been employed as a messenger for less than 3 months, yet two-thir ds of them had sustained a previous injury whilst a messenger. The app arent absence of supervision of this potentially dangerous occupation is emphasized. In view of the repeated injuries sustained by many of t hese vulnerable young men, it is suggested that those responsible for their treatment might, in addition to their therapeutic role, give sui table guidance that might prevent re-attendance with further injuries.