Thai Woman’s Leg Amputated in Freak Accident at Bangkok Airport
Bangkok, Thailand – In a shocking incident at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, a 57-year-old Thai woman had to undergo a leg amputation after getting caught in a moving walkway. The incident occurred on Thursday and authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.
According to Karant Thanakuljeerapat, the director of Don Mueang International Airport, the incident took place at around 8:27 a.m. local time in the southern corridor of the domestic passenger terminal. The woman, who was traveling to Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffered a severe accident when her left leg became trapped at the end of the moving walkway.
Medical personnel responded swiftly and the woman was immediately transferred to the nearest hospital. However, due to the severity of her injuries, her leg had to be amputated up to the kneecap. She has since been transferred to Bumrungrad International Hospital, one of Thailand’s top medical facilities.
Karant expressed his deepest sorrow over the incident and assured reporters that Airports Of Thailand (AOT), the state-owned company operating airports across the country, would cover all medical expenses and provide compensation to the victim.
As a precautionary measure, all moving walkways at the airport have been suspended while authorities investigate the cause of the accident and conduct safety checks. Karant stated that a fact-finding committee may be established with external experts to ensure impartiality and transparency in the investigation.
The airport director defended the routine maintenance and checkups carried out at the airport, emphasizing that the walkway in question had been in service for 39 years. Don Mueang International Airport, located in the northern part of Bangkok, was the city’s main airport until the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006.
Thailand is a popular tourist destination known for its warm weather and beautiful beaches. The country has also been promoting health tourism, boasting numerous private hospitals. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism accounted for approximately 12% of Thailand’s economy, with nearly 40 million arrivals in 2019.
Although the pandemic severely impacted tourism, Thailand has seen a gradual recovery in recent months. In the first quarter of 2023, the country surpassed its tourist target, welcoming 6.15 million arrivals between January and March.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, utilizing available closed-circuit television footage to gather more information. At this stage, no preliminary conclusions have been made regarding the cause of the accident.
How can airports enhance their safety protocols and guidelines to prevent severe injuries like the amputation case at Don Mueang International Airport?
She had sustained such extensive injuries that doctors had no choice but to amputate her leg. The woman’s identity has not yet been released, and her current condition is unknown.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident. They will be examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to gather as much information as possible. It is essential to understand how this incident occurred to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
Moving walkways are designed to provide convenience and ease of transport for passengers at airports. However, incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder that even seemingly harmless machines can pose risks if proper safety measures are not in place. Airport authorities must ensure that regular maintenance and inspections are conducted to identify and fix any potential hazards promptly.
In the wake of this unfortunate incident, it’s crucial for airports and transportation authorities to review their safety protocols and guidelines. They should consider implementing additional safety features, such as emergency stop buttons or improved barriers, to prevent accidents like this from leading to such severe injuries.
The incident at Don Mueang International Airport has left many in shock and serves as a reminder that safety should always be a top priority. It is essential for airport authorities to take this incident seriously and make necessary changes to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.
Oh my goodness, how tragic! My thoughts and prayers go out to the woman and her family. Safety measures need to be thoroughly reviewed and improved at the Bangkok Airport to prevent such incidents in the future.