If you’ve ever had an intrusive thought about getting your leg stuck in a travelator at the airport, then this story might leave you terrified.
One woman had to have her leg amputated in Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport after it became stuck in the conveyer belt-style walkway last year.
The woman, aged 57, had been walking along the travelator when her leg became stuck at the end of the walkway.
The incident occurred at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Nathalie Jamois/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
It was reported that she had tripped over her suitcase and ‘fell through a gap’ resulting in her leg becoming trapped.
While the medical team immediately tried to release her leg, they eventually had to amputate from just above the knee after the incident severed the woman’s bones and tendons.
In photos, the woman can be seen sitting on the travelator, with her leg trapped in the machinery.
Following the amputation at the airport, the woman’s limb was placed in a foam box in the hopes of it being reattached. However, after being taken to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital shortly after the horrifying incident, the woman was told her leg could not be saved.
The woman’s leg became trapped in the travelator (ViralPress)
At the time, the unnamed woman’s son wrote 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.”
Meanwhile, airport director Karun Thanakuljeerapat said of the incident: “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.”
She was rushed to hospital after the incident (ViralPress)
A spokesperson later added: “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 later, the woman took her first steps following the ordeal.
Speaking about the moment, her son said: “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.”
