Impact on life after a major bus crash - a qualitative study of survivors' experiences

BackgroundCrashes occur regularly throughout the world and can result in multiple fatalities and many injuries. Research into how survivors experience a crash is very limited. AimTo describe and analyse the nonphysical consequences of a multifatality bus crash in Sweden and the subsequent effect on the surviving passengers' lives. MethodThe participants were all (n=56) of the survivors of a major bus crash. The passengers were interviewed approximately one month after the bus crash. The interviews were analysed using a qualitative content analysis. ResultsPrior to the arrival of rescue personnel at the crash site, helpfulness emerged among the passengers. Further, the crash generated an impact on the surviving passengers' lives from a short-term perspective. The passengers displayed a diverse need for crisis support; informal support from family and friends was essential for the early healing process. Sleep difficulties and a change in travel routines were the most common consequences. Lastly, passengers sought closure in order to move on with their lives. ConclusionThe passengers' reactions to and behaviour following a crash offer an insight into the, relatively unexplored, interaction between people experiencing a major road traffic crash. It is necessary to have a flexible crisis support system, and the vital role of family support ought to be upgraded.