While fighting for her life following an accident in a Free State Department of Health’s ambulance, a pregnant woman gave birth to a baby girl hours later after the accident.
The woman whose identity is withheld went into labour at the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad where she was admitted with severe head injuries after the accident.
She sustained head injuries when a department’s ambulance overturned on the R76 road.
“The woman gave birth normally at about 13:00 after she was admitted around 11:00. She is stable and fully conscious,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson of the department.
He said the woman suffered a pelvic injury and sustained head injuries during the accident. “She remains under observation at the hospital whilst the clinical specialist team are determining the next appropriate course of action. She suffered head injuries and there is a strong possibility that she may be transferred to Bloemfontein for specialised care after being stabilised,” said Mvambi.
He said the driver of the ambulance escaped unharmed and has been discharged from the hospital. “His fellow paramedic who sustained a fracture in the leg was admitted at Kroon Hospital,” he said.
Mvambi said an initial investigation by the department revealed a tyre burst was to blame for the accident which occurred on the road between Steynsrus and Kroonstad. The vehicle was damaged beyond repair after it capsized.
“A tyre on the right front wheel burst, resulting in the driver loosing control of the ambulance, which capsized,” said Mvambi.
