In a peculiar incident at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, a 57-year-old Thai woman had to undergo a leg amputation after becoming entangled in a moving walkway. The exact cause of the accident, which occurred on Thursday in the southern corridor of the domestic passenger terminal, has yet to be fully elucidated by authorities, according to Karant Thanakuljeerapat, the airport’s director.
The woman, who was en route to the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south, suffered a severe accident when her left leg got trapped at the end of the moving walkway. Prompt medical assistance was provided, and she was swiftly transferred to the nearest hospital. However, due to the severity of her injuries, her leg had to be amputated up to the kneecap, as confirmed by Karant.
Subsequently, the woman was moved to Bumrungrad International Hospital, a renowned medical facility in the country. Karant expressed his deepest condolences to the affected individual, although her identity has not been disclosed by authorities.
The woman’s son, Krit Kittirattana, expressed his heartbreak over the incident through a statement shared on Facebook. He mentioned that his mother underwent surgery but still faces potential complications, while doctors are carefully monitoring her condition for any signs of infection. Krit expressed the emotional toll this loss has taken on his mother, stating that despite her resilient demeanor, her heart is shattered by the sudden amputation.
The family has also requested access to the surveillance camera footage capturing the accident, seeking further insights into the incident.
Karant, the airport director, assured that Airports Of Thailand (AOT), the state-owned company overseeing airports nationwide, will cover all medical expenses and provide compensation to the affected woman. As a precautionary measure, the airport has temporarily suspended the operation of all moving walkways. During this time, a thorough investigation will be conducted, and safety checks performed by engineers to determine the cause of the incident.
Karant emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is underway to ascertain the facts surrounding the accident. In the pursuit of impartiality and transparency, there may be a need to establish a fact-finding committee with external participation. Due to the footage from the closed-circuit television being captured from a distance, it has taken additional time for airport staff to conduct a thorough analysis. At this stage, no preliminary conclusions have been drawn.
The director defended the airport’s regular maintenance and checkups, emphasizing that the walkway in question has been operational for 39 years. Don Mueang International Airport, situated in the northern part of Bangkok, previously served as the city’s primary airport until the inauguration of the larger Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006.
Thailand, with its warm climate and picturesque beaches, is a highly sought-after tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world.
