Analysis of deaths caused by pat-pat accidents in Turkey.

This study deals with deaths during the period 2004 to 2009 that occurred during the use of a vehicle known as pat-pat, which is an unusual vehicle, similar to a tractor-trailer used in agricultural production and transportation The records of crime scene investigation and autopsies of 28 cases of death due to pat-pat-related crushes were evaluated. Of all cases, 60.7 percent were drivers and the remaining 39.3% were passengers. The most common cause of death (in 39.3% of cases) was brain-spinal cord injury due to blunt trauma of the head and neck. Implementing legislation regarding safety measures or limitation of the use for transportation should be performed for pat-pats, of which thousands are currently in use.