Alleged negligence by emergency workers concerning the death of a pregnant women in a traffic accident is being investigated by Haiphong City authorities.

On January 26, a motorbike collided with a passenger bus on Ton Duc Thang Street. Witnesses said that when a woman was pulled from under the bus, there was a lot of blood pouring out from her stomach. The woman stopped breathing minutes later, and bystanders covered her body with a mat and called for an ambulance.

 Scene of the fatal accident

Some 15 minutes later, an ambulance of the "115" emergency service arrived, but left the scene after seeing the woman was dead. Her husband then arrived and pleaded for help. Only then did emergency workers learn the woman was seven month's pregnant.

The 115 service in Haiphong City has been criticised for ignoring the victim and not determining that she was pregnant.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, with the National Traffic Safety Committee asking Haiphong Police and the city's Department of Health to examine the cause of the death of the mother and unborn child, and the action of the 115 service. The city's Traffic Safety Committee was asked to visit, and offer support to, the victim's family.

Nguyen Thi Hai, chief of the shift on January 26, said the ambulance was unable reach the accident scene quicker because a market had blocked the street. "I was about to uncover the mat to check on the victim, but people nearby stopped me and said that she was dead. I didn't see police at the scene. We then returned to the centre," Hai said.

Director of 115 Service Centre Bui Huy Son said the staff were careless for not following protocol to check the body for vital signs. Even if a victim is deceased, and there are no police at the scene, they must check the body and officially pronounce death. Only if police are at the scene can the emergency crew return to base.

 Director of 115 Service Centre Bui Huy Son

Nguyen Thi Hai has been suspended and the centre is considering punishment for all staff on shift at that time.