Analysis of terrorist injuries treated at Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, 1972-1980.

As a result of terrorist incidents, 482 patients were seen at a district hospital between September 1972 and December 1980. Details of 339 bomb victims and 115 gunshot victims were available for analysis. Most patients in both categories suffered injuries not affecting vital structures and there was an admission rate of 42 per cent for bomb victims and 81 per cent for gunshot victims. Five patients died in hospital as a result of explosions, and 12 of gunshot wounds. The majority of patients (72 per cent) were seen outside normal working hours (9.00 am-5.00 pm). Initial emergency treatment was carried out at Craigavon Area Hospital and ultimately 41 cases were transferred for either security or medical reasons.