/ 10 May 2001

LEGAL ACTION ON AMBULANCE DEATH?

THE family of a pregnant woman who died when she fell out of a speeding ambulance early Monday morning is considering taking legal action. Refiloe Masia, 28, of Greenvalley village in Acornhoek, Northern Province, was left alone in the back of the ambulance when the back doors flew open on the way to Tintsaolo Hospital at about 2am. She fell into the road and suffered massive head injuries. Her uncle, Repson Masia, accused the ambulance driver and nurse who had gone to collect his niece of being irresponsible and said the family was considering taking legal action. The ambulance driver and nurse were transferred on Tuesday pending an internal investigation by the provincial health department into the matter. Departmental spokesman Charley Nkadimeng described the incident as “shocking.”