In an unprecedented and distressing incident, a woman’s life took a tragic turn at Thailand’s bustling Don Mueang International Airport. Due to a malfunctioning moving walkway in Terminal 2, the woman suffered a catastrophic injury leading to her leg amputation.
This heartrending incident occurred on Thursday when a 57-year-old Thai passenger was preparing to board a flight bound for Nakhon Si Thammarat province from Don Mueang. While navigating the airport’s Terminal 2, she became ensnared by the moving walkway. With the severity of her injury, the medical team on-site had no other option but to amputate her left leg above the knee, as confirmed by the airport’s officials.
The director of Don Mueang International Airport, Karun Thanakuljeerapat, addressed this sorrowful incident at a news conference. He stated, “On behalf of the Don Mueang International Airport, I’d like to express my deepest condolences regarding the accident.” He further assured that the airport administration would take all necessary steps to ensure such an incident does not reoccur.
The airport management, recognizing the magnitude of the incident, pledged to cover all medical expenses incurred by the victim. They have also shown a willingness to negotiate any further compensation the woman might require.
Unfortunately, the woman’s first medical opinion was that reattachment of her leg was impossible. Nevertheless, the victim requested to be transferred to another hospital in hopes of a different assessment and potential reattachment of her leg.
A harrowing image was shared online, showing the lower part of the woman’s leg trapped beneath the conveyor belt at the end of the walkway. She was being aided by airport staff, and a nearby suitcase, presumably hers, was missing two wheels. Interestingly, broken yellow comb-like plates that usually cover the edge of the conveyor belt where the moving walkway concludes were also visible.
Karun confirmed the finding of the suitcase wheels underneath the conveyor belt but did not clarify how this might have contributed to the accident. He asserted that regular maintenance of the airport’s walkways is conducted, with daily checks and additional monthly inspections.
Following the tragic incident, the walkway was closed, and a team of engineers was dispatched for a detailed examination to determine the cause of the accident. The unfortunate event has raised concerns about the safety measures at the airport and emphasized the need for rigorous checks on all moving machinery to prevent such incidents in the future.
Written by: Supaporn Pholrach (Joom)
