A Lack Of Treatment

[steviekes]

This is from Pattaya People

Hit and Run Truck Tragedy

Speeding Truck Driver Kills American Motorcyclist

A speeding truck driver hit a foreign motorcyclist and caused him serious injuries in the morning of 28^th April at the junction between Soi Korphai and Bongkot on South Pattaya Road.

The injured foreigner was found to be Mr. Matt Gerald Hayes aged 32, from Ohio in the USA.

Witnesses to the crash helped give the man first aid before the Sawang Rescuers arrived to take him to hospital.

They stated that the truck, license plate no. 83-0897 Chonburi, is a construction company truck. It came at high speed and hit the American traveling on his rented Honda Wave motorbike at full force, when he was trying to make a turn into Soi Korphai, leaving the man with serious head wounds, and then sped off without stopping. Sadly, Mr. Hayes died whilst he was being transferred from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya to Chonburi hospital.

Police Captain Suriya Wariwong from Pattaya Police Station was there on that day and is in charge of this case.

He stated that is this case; the police have found the ten wheeled truck belonging to a construction company that hit the American and seized it. The police have also contacted the owner of the construction company and informed the representative of the insurance company of the truck to be responsible for the payment to the deceased man’s family.

According to the act of legislation, each deceased person’s family will be paid 35,000 Baht from the motorbike’s insurance immediately. Other than that, the insurance company also has to pay another amount of money to the deceased person’s family – and also the insurance company of the truck, but the amount depends on what kind of agreement they have with the insurance company.

In the case of Mr. Hayes, he had rented the motorbike that he was on in the accident that day.

At the moment the police have cooperated with the insurance company of the truck and have issued a letter to the owner of the construction company to be questioned at the police station so that the police would know the name of the driver of the truck. This is to be certain of which party was wrong in the accident. However, at the moment the police have already charged “irresponsible driving, causing death, and fleeing the scene (hit and run)”, until the driver is found and questioned. Once they know who the driver is; the police will ask him to come to the station for questioning. If he refuses then the police are forced to issue an arrest warrant for his capture. If he is found guilty then according to law he will be imprisoned and fined. These are the basics of these kinds of cases. The Pattaya Police give their word that they will definitely investigate this case further to serve justice.

As for Bangkok Hospital Pattaya that Mr. Hayes was sent to that morning, Pattaya People staff have tried to find more information about what happened. We talked to the Nurse responsible at the Contact Center of the hospital; Miss Wachiraporn Kaenchan, and she told us that usually, patients that come in from accidents or any kind of emergencies will be accepted straight away and then further proceedings of transferring the patient will be made later – after they have aided the patient first. She also does not understand what happened that morning because this kind of case has never occurred before.

Friends of the deceased wrote to us complaining about the whole procedure of how Thai people handle this kind of case. A British friend of Mr. Hayes stated: “I’ve been told he was taken to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital still alive, but they would not accept him because he was not carrying any ID, so he was put in the back of a pick-up truck and sent all the way to Chonburi and died of internal bleeding on the way. If they would have accepted him at BKK Pattaya then maybe he would still be alive! Maybe if this turns out to be true, you could put a warning in your paper for foreigners telling them to have ID and a copy of their insurance on them at all times? Matt was a well loved teacher at the BEST Burapa Bi-lingual School, Pattaya and will be very missed there.” Graham Nuttall. UK. More friends wrote to Pattaya People Media Group not long after; also saying that Mr. Hayes died on the way to hospital. They are all very upset as their friend was taken on an hour long trip to Chonburi hospital when there are numerous hospitals here in Pattaya and he died in the ambulance on this unnecessary journey. They would like to know; why was he treated this way? They are demanding answers. Why has the killer not been found?

“All Matt’s friends and I only want to know what happened on that tragic day we would be very grateful if you could investigate further on our behalf. The heartless individual who hit Matt and left him to die in the road has still not been traced as of today (Wednesday 2nd). Why when the weapon he used, the truck was located very quickly? I believe a human life should be saved at all cost and immediate treatment administered ASAP at the nearest hospital regardless of the victim’s status be they Thai, European, American and of course wealthy or poor. Matt was a teacher at Best school here in Pattaya, a quiet man. He did not drink or smoke and was well liked by all his Thai and foreign work colleagues and students. He will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Thank you again.” Jon Baxter.

This story should be highlighted because this case can be a warning to stop things like this tragic incident happening again. At the time we went to Press it was impossible to get further information from the Investigating Officer but Pattaya People Weekly will certainly follow up with this tragic story.

[steviekes]

This is a copy of my letter sent to The Pattaya People. A protest i9s planned to take place at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital next week. Please pp me if you would like to attend. This hospital must be hurt where it counts--their wallet!Where is the care?

Editor:

On Saturday, April 29, 2007 my friend and former colleague 32 year-old Matt Gerald Hayes was struck by a truck as he rode his motorcycle in South Pattaya—a case of hit and run. Volunteer ambulance workers arrived on the scene quickly and took Matt to a well known, state-of-the-art hospital in North Pattaya on Sukumvit Road. Upon arrival at this well advertised hospital Matt was denied treatment because it could not be ascertained that he would be able to pay his hospital bill! (he could) The volunteer ambulance men were told by staff at the hospital to take Matt to Chonburi—an hour away. On route, Matt died. He will be greatly missed by his friends, fellow teachers, family and the children he taught at BEST school. There are two questions that plague me;

1. Why was Matt denied proper treatment that could have saved his young life at this “renowned” hospital?

2. Where does the Hippocratic Oath come into play with this distinguished medical establishment?

If this is how legally employed foreigners are being treated by this hospital, then this hospital’s services should be boycotted.

Answers to the questions and comments are awaited.

Yours truly,

Steve Kessler

[PeaceBlondie]

So sorry to hear about this death, especially since I drive a motorcycle and am a teacher in Thailand. It's so tragic. For now, let's leave this in the teaching forum rather than adding it to the usual long list of Pattaya News Clippings.

Last night I saw the young man who was with me in my wreck. We recounted how the Thais there in Mae Tang were very helpful to render immediate aid. In fact, Nok Lek complained that the nurse in the emergency room, who only spoke Thai, ignored him and took care of me! Also, when I crashed on Doi Inthanon, I got immediate first-responder care from the park rangers and first aid staff, as well as the follow-up at state hospitals there and in Chiang Mai.

But for an emergency room to refuse care in a situation like this is unforgivable. When that happens in some countries, the hospital loses its license and goes out of business.

[mbkudu]

When that happens in some countries, the hospital loses its license and goes out of business.

Not in the US it doesn't. I'm sure you're aware that it's quite common.

[PeaceBlondie]

When that happens in some countries, the hospital loses its license and goes out of business.

Not in the US it doesn't. I'm sure you're aware that it's quite common.

I stand corrected; I exaggerated. When it has happened, that ER's in private hospitals refuse to give necessary immediate care to the uninsured, it's a big scandal, and the hospital suffers. There were scandals in Hollywood, and in Houston, in recent years.

Anyway, I hope the Thais see that this is a terrible thing that happened.

[Ijustwannateach]

This is a nightmare of mine- being injured enough not to be able to take charge of my own medical care- and is the reason why Heng is right when he advises carrying emergency insurance even if you've saved your own money to cover big medical expenses- the insurance card expedites your treatment more than a note that says "trust me, I have the money..." Very unfortunately, in this case. RIP.

"S"

[dkstoney]

This is a copy of my letter sent to The Pattaya People. A protest i9s planned to take place at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital next week. Please pp me if you would like to attend. This hospital must be hurt where it counts--their wallet!Where is the care?

Well, here's something the farang community could do to make a change in the system. Stand up for yourselves. They don't seem to mind jumping to the rescue of young maidens getting their arms chopped off by crazy policemen and offering to dole out lots of sympathy cash. 3 separate posters in 2 days on this topic. Sickening.

Edited May 7, 2007 by dkstoney

[mosquitoman]

Guys the exact same thread has been running in the Pattaya section for 2 days now, maybe this one should be closed

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119293

MM

[Ijustwannateach]

Think it got cross-posted because it was of interest to teachers... no harm leaving it a little longer; if things get busy it'll disappear itself.

[stevejones123]

I don't know if the photo is just a mock-up but if it is a real one of the accident, then the message to everybody should be, WEAR A HELMET.

[steviekes]

I don't know if the photo is just a mock-up but if it is a real one of the accident, then the message to everybody should be, WEAR A HELMET.

The photo's real.

[windosill]

I don't know if the photo is just a mock-up but if it is a real one of the accident, then the message to everybody should be, WEAR A HELMET.

Hi Steve - Just to let you know, Matt was wearing a helmet, but it was removed before the photo was taken.

[stevejones123]

I was under the impression that one of the things you should never do in a motor-cycle accident was remove the helmet.

[KireB]

RIP and my sincere regrets for the involved family and friends.

Lesson to be learned for all of us:

-copy passport in your wallet

-driver's license in your wallet

-insurance card in your wallet

-adres in your wallet

-adres employer in your wallet

These accidents scare the living #%#^^ out of me!

[vfxguy]

This is indeed a terrible tragedy. I would like to report that when I feel ill in Bangkok, I went to Phyyathai hospital and was immediately sent to emergency room without question of my financial situation. Hopefully Matt's incident is isolated and my condolences to friends and family.