Air ambulance responds to Al-Nabqiyah sand dune accident and transports injured people to Al-Qassim
In a remarkable response reflecting the advanced state of emergency medical services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority branch in the Qassim region responded on Saturday to an urgent report of a vehicle accident in the Nafoud Al-Nabqiyah area, east of Buraidah. The challenging terrain necessitated a two-pronged intervention, combining ground ambulance teams and an air ambulance to ensure rapid response to the injured.
Details of the emergency operation
Upon receiving the report through the operations room, specialized teams were dispatched to the site with a record response time. Given the nature of the sandy area (Al-Nafud), which typically sees a high volume of visitors during weekends, the use of air ambulance proved crucial in overcoming the challenging terrain that could impede the movement of conventional vehicles, thus ensuring the provision of advanced medical care during the critical moments known medically as the "golden hour.".
Advanced medical teams dealt with the cases at the scene of the accident, where the necessary emergency services were provided to ensure the stability of the vital signs of the injured before the transfer process.
The condition of the injured and the statement from officials
The Director General of the Authority's branch in the Qassim region, Khalid bin Saleh Al-Khadar, explained that the accident resulted in two people sustaining moderate injuries. He indicated that one of the injured was immediately transported by air ambulance, while the other was treated according to established protocols. Both injured individuals were transferred to Buraydah Central Hospital to receive the necessary treatment, in full coordination with the relevant security and health authorities.
The importance of air ambulance services in desert regions
This intervention highlights the strategic importance of the air ambulance service in the Kingdom, which is part of the Vision 2030 goals to improve the quality of healthcare services. This service plays a pivotal role in areas with challenging terrain and remote locations, significantly reducing medical transport time and increasing the chances of survival for those injured in traffic accidents and desert excursions.
Safety warnings and guidelines
In closing, the Red Crescent Authority reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to exercise caution while driving in desert areas and to adhere to safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities, especially during periods of unstable weather or rainy seasons, which increase the risk of skidding or getting stuck in the sand. The Authority emphasized the importance of immediately requesting assistance when needed by calling the unified emergency number (997) or through the “Is’afni” (Rescue Me) application available on smartphones, which allows for highly accurate location tracking to facilitate the arrival of rescue teams.
