Thai medical emergency worker dies on duty after ambulance crashes in heavy rain

A Thai emergency medical worker died after an ambulance crashed while responding to an emergency call during heavy rain in Uttaradit, Thailand.

According to Khaosod English, the accident occurred on May 21 and involved an ambulance from Nam Pat Hospital that was responding to an emergency. The vehicle reportedly lost control and veered off the road due to slippery conditions.

According to The Thaiger, the medical worker was identified as Nattanicha Bangchan, also known as “June,” an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEM) from Nam Pat Hospital. She had joined the Nam Pat Rescue Association to assist victims of a car accident in Nam Khrai, Uttaradit.

Ambulance allegedly lost control in heavy rain

The Thaiger reported that the incident began at around 6:30am when June and rescue personnel were travelling to the scene of a reported accident.

The ambulance was reportedly about one kilometre away from the scene, near Ton Sak Yai National Park, when it was involved in an accident.

The Nam Pat Rescue Association said rain had made the road slippery, causing the ambulance to aquaplane and veer off the road.

The association said:

“Our team worked at full capacity and coordinated with all rescue units in Uttaradit to provide urgent assistance.”

June was critically injured in the crash and transferred to Uttaradit Hospital, where she later died, according to Khaosod English.

Public health office expresses condolences

The Uttaradit Provincial Public Health Office expressed condolences to June’s family in a statement shared online.

It said:

“We express our condolences to the family of Nattanicha Bangchan, an emergency medical officer at Nam Pat Hospital in Uttaradit, who passed away in an ambulance accident while carrying out duties to assist an emergency patient.”

Khaosod English also reported that many Thai social media users paid tribute to June, praising her dedication and sacrifice while serving on duty.