Sri Racha, Thailand – Rescuers used a tow truck to keep a 36-year-old man under continuous resuscitation during an emergency hospital transfer after he collapsed at home.
Emergency call in Nong Kham late Sunday morning
The incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, 5 April 2026, at a house in Moo 5 in Nong Kham subdistrict, Sri Racha district. The Sawaeng Pratip Sri Racha rescue unit received a distress call about a collapsed man who reportedly still had a pulse at first.
When the team arrived, the patient, referred to in the report under the pseudonym “Mr. Ode,” was unresponsive. He was lying on a bench under a tree and, according to rescuers, had already stopped breathing by that time.
Resuscitation under intense time pressure
The helpers immediately began continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They faced a tense situation because any pause in the procedure would have further reduced the man’s chances of survival.
According to his stepfather, the family had initially started CPR themselves when the man stopped breathing. Before that, he had reportedly still been breathing briefly after he collapsed.
Weight made standard transport impossible
The man’s weight was estimated at over 170 kilograms, approaching 200 kilograms, which made transport in a private car or standard ambulance impossible. Family members could not lift him, and rescuers also faced a serious logistical obstacle.
A heavy recovery tow truck with winch and flatbed (slide truck) was therefore called in. The solution was intended to allow the patient to be loaded while lying down and properly secured.
Coordinated effort with spineboard and winch
Nearly ten rescuers worked together, using a mat for padding and a spineboard to move the man carefully. The board was then attached to the vehicle’s crane system, and the patient was pulled onto the flatbed by winch.
Throughout the lifting and loading process, CPR continued without interruption. The team had to work with particular care to keep the patient as stable as possible during every movement.
CPR on the flatbed all the way to hospital
After loading, nurses and rescuers rode on the moving tow truck’s flatbed so they could maintain CPR for the entire journey. The destination was Laem Chabang Hospital, more than ten kilometres away.
The convoy moved slowly and with great caution, escorted by an ambulance from Laem Chabang Hospital and a rescue vehicle providing protection at the front and rear. This was intended to minimise risk during the unusual transport.
Pre-existing conditions and warning signs the day before
According to his stepfather, Somchai Bun Sri Charoen, the man had still been conscious in the morning and able to walk to the bench by himself. The family did not expect his condition to deteriorate so dramatically in such a short time.
Reports cited severe obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, along with a previous diagnosis of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). The day before, he had voiced similar complaints but felt better again after contacting a doctor.
Free support and praise for the team
The tow truck service reportedly supported the mission free of charge. Cooperation between the rescue unit, hospital staff and the heavy-vehicle team made the transfer possible despite the exceptional circumstances.
The patient was successfully taken to Laem Chabang Hospital, where he continued to receive treatment and was reportedly recovering. Online, nurses and rescuers received widespread recognition for their efforts, with many users praising their determination and teamwork.