"Train surfers": analysis of 23 cases of electrical burns caused by high tension railway overhead cables

The term "train surfers" describes a group of adolescents from the outskirt s of the city of Rio de Janeiro, who are compelled by the overcrowded railw ay trains to travel on the roofs of the wagons. Collision with electrical h igh-tension wires is a relatively frequent occurrence, causing extensive an d complex injuries, This study analyzes this clinical and surgical phenomen on which has caused over 100 fatalities in more than 200 registered acciden ts over the past 10 years. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd and I SBI. All rights reserved.