If the thought of getting your leg caught in a travelator at the airport has ever crossed your mind, this story may heighten your fears.
A woman tragically had to undergo amputation of her leg at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport after it became ensnared in the moving walkway last year.
The incident involved a 57-year-old woman walking along the travelator when her leg was trapped at its end.
Reports indicate she stumbled over her suitcase, “fell through a gap,” and consequently, her leg got stuck.
Despite swift efforts by the medical team to free her leg, they ultimately had to amputate above the knee due to the severe damage to the woman’s bones and tendons.
Photographs show the woman sitting on the travelator, with her leg caught in the device.
After the immediate amputation at the airport, her leg was put in a foam box with hopes of reattachment. However, when she was taken to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital soon after, it was determined that her leg could not be salvaged.
Her son shared on Facebook: “My mother’s morale is quite concerning. We got to speak to her a bit before and after the operation… Even though she showed her strength through facial expression and tone of voice, we knew that deep down she was broken because she suddenly lost a leg.
“Our family knows very well that we can neither make her leg work like before, nor can we bring back the same life she had lived.”
Regarding the event, airport director Karun Thanakuljeerapat stated: “On behalf of the Don Mueang international airport, I’d like to express my deepest condolences regarding the accident.
“I’d like to insist that we will ensure that no such accident will happen again.”
A spokesperson later commented: “The director of Don Mueang Airport and management has visited the patient to follow up on the treatment and received information from the medical team at Bhumibol Hospital that she is currently in the process of receiving treatment from the medical team.
“Don Mueang Airport is deeply saddened by the incident and ready to fully accept the responsibility as well as take care of the medical expenses and compensation.”
Months following the incident, the woman began taking her first steps.
Her son remarked on the occasion: “My mum walked for 15 minutes and must practice every day. It’s very encouraging. She’s still as beautiful as ever despite everything that has happened. I hope that soon she’ll be running faster than me.”