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Patient dies when ambulance is 'deliberately blocked' by pickup truck driver in Thailand

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A patient died when a pickup truck driver allegedly deliberately blocked an ambulance in Thailand.

Somkuan Panit, 69, was fighting for his life at Plaipraya Hospital in Krabi province after suffering a heart attack and respiratory failure on October 16.

Staff were loading him into the emergency vehicle to be transferred to a nearby hospital, but were unable to leave when a Toyota pickup pulled into the driveway.

Footage shows the pickup parked at the ambulance bay as the driver, Thammakorn Photirak, and his relatives wheeled a grandmother, 69, into the ER for dizziness.

Despite pleas from nurses to move the obstruction, Thammakorn allegedly refused, demanding that his stricken mother be given priority.

Somkuan's distraught relatives reportedly fell to their knees, begging for the truck to be moved, but the heartless driver kept arguing with staff, costing Somkuan precious minutes.

The ambulance was eventually able to leave for Krabi Hospital, but Somkuan later died. His family believe he could have lived had he received the life-saving treatment sooner.

Somkuan's daughter Pattaraporn Panit, 29, and Plaipraya Hospital staff said they were taking legal action against Thammakorn.

Police Colonel Narong Laksanawimon, superintendent of Plaipraya Police Station, said: 'Officers have been instructed to question hospital staff, the victim's relatives, and doctors from Plaipraya and Krabi hospitals to review Somkuan's condition before his death and establish the cause.

'Once that's complete, a summons will be issued for Thammakorn to acknowledge the charges and face questioning'

In a statement, Plaipraya Hospital expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

It added: 'The pickup truck owner's actions obstructed the officers' work while they were on duty. The patient had to be evacuated urgently, but ultimately died. Regarding the relative of the pickup truck owner, doctors treated her in the emergency room until her condition improved and she was given medication to take home.

'Plaipraya Hospital expresses its deepest condolences to the family for the loss of the patient and reaffirms that it has provided the best possible care and professional standards throughout the patient's care.'

Thammakorn claimed he was not informed that a patient in critical condition was leaving on the ambulance.

He also slammed hospital staff for their alleged lack of attentiveness, saying 'the problem would not have occurred if someone had helped my mother onto a bed'.

Thammakorn has since been fired from his job at food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods.

Authorities said he faces charges of obstructing officials in the performance of their duty, insulting an officer on duty, murder, and negligence causing the death of another person.

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