Accident in Urbino: 3 Emergency Workers and the Patient Lose Their Lives
The Tragedy that Occurred in the Ca’ Gulino Tunnel on State Road 73 bis
The Accident’s Dynamics
A year-end to forget for the Italian emergency response community: at 4:00 PM today, December 27, in the Ca’ Gulino tunnel on State Road 73 bis connecting Fermignano to Urbino, a Red Cross ambulance crashed into a bus traveling in the opposite direction.
The collision left no chance for the emergency medical personnel from Potes who were on duty in the ambulance, as well as the patient being transported. The victims include a 40-year-old doctor, S.H., a 59-year-old nurse with initials S.S., a nurse, C.M., originally from Acqualonga, and the patient, whose identity is not yet known, an 80-year-old individual.
Immediate rescue efforts were launched, including an air ambulance, but unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done for them.
On-site investigations by Anas (the Italian road agency), law enforcement, and firefighters are still ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the deaths of the four individuals.
Bus Passengers are Safe
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries among the travelers on board the bus, which was carrying children from Grottammare on a trip organized by the parish of Urbino. The children are aged between 7 and 13, accompanied by their supervisors. The bus driver, however, is in a state of shock.
The injured, all with minor injuries, have been transported to the hospitals in Pesaro and Urbino.
Our Condolences
Here on Emergency Live, we talk every day about emergency response, how it operates, the vehicles, and the training of personnel. But all too often, we have to emphasize the risks that all individuals face, from doctors and nurses to firefighters, law enforcement, drivers, and volunteers.
Risks are an inherent part of the vast emergency response machine. Events like this make us bow our heads and realize that every call, every ambulance dispatch, every fire truck or patrol car outing could cost the lives of those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to serving others. These silent heroes ensure that our lives can run much more smoothly every day.
The only thing we can do is rally around the families of the victims, aware that there are no words that can in any way ease their pain.
The only thing we feel compelled to say is that we hope the sacrifice of these individuals is not in vain, and that safety equipment that allows emergency workers to operate in total safety becomes increasingly effective, so that we never have to recount such tragedies again.
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