SURIN, THAILAND – A critically ill patient died when a box van slammed head-on into an ambulance. Five others were injured in the crash.
The smash happened on the Surin–Lamduan road at kilometre 5 when the box van swerved into oncoming traffic. The rescue centre got the call at 1.45 pm on 12 August 2026.
Critically ill patient dies after the collision
The ambulance from Sang Kha district hospital was racing the patient to Surin Hospital for further treatment. After the violent impact, rescue workers and the Narenthorn team from Surin Hospital tried CPR on the man.
The resuscitation failed. The patient died later. The five other injured people were rushed to Surin Hospital in multiple rescue vehicles.
Woman had to be freed from the ambulance
At the crash site, the white ambulance with green stripes sat stuck on the central island. The front was badly mangled. Medical gear lay scattered inside the vehicle and across the road.
Six people were hurt inside the two vehicles: three men and three women. One woman was trapped in the ambulance and had to be freed with a hydraulic cutter. After about 15 minutes she was out, and she was seriously injured.
Box van veered into oncoming lane
The black Toyota box van sat about 10 metres from the ambulance at the roadside. Locals said it was heading towards Lamduan district.
Near the crash site, a tyre is believed to have burst. The van lost control, swerved into the oncoming lane and slammed head-on into the ambulance.
Police review crash details
Police Captain Pal Mueang Klang of Mueang Surin police station took evidence photos. Investigators plan to question those involved and eyewitnesses.
Footage from a dashcam and CCTV cameras will also be analysed. Police want to determine the exact cause of the crash and treat both sides fairly.