A 32-hour sea-level air ambulance rescue

It began with a phone call – a parent in distress after their daughter was seriously injured while travelling in Thailand. While riding a scooter, the brakes failed unexpectedly, causing her to roll into oncoming traffic, where she was struck by another scooter. The girl had sustained significant injuries to her face and head and was taken to the nearest hospital by her friends.

Although stabilised, she required major reconstructive surgery. The family faced two options: transport the patient to the nearest major medical centre or bring her home for more comprehensive care. With time being critical, they turned to AXA Partners US for help.

A race against time and obstacles

The parents decided to bring their daughter home. AXA Partners US quickly mobilised, assembling a team of medical experts and logistics coordinators. As more details of the patient’s injuries emerged, it became clear that this would be no ordinary evacuation. Due to the nature of her injuries, the girl could only fly at sea level, which required a rare air ambulance capable of such longdistance flights with full medical support onboard. What seemed like a standard medical transport turned into a mission that tested the capabilities of AXA Partners US.

Securing the right aircraft was just the first challenge. Flying at sea level consumed more fuel, necessitating multiple refuelling stops across six different countries. Each stop required its own set of clearances, adding layers of complexity to the mission. Time was critical, and every step had to be arranged quickly to ensure the patient’s safety.

AXA Partners US also had to secure a specialised medical team, including a physician and a nurse, to accompany the girl. Given the length of the flight and the potential for complications, only the most experienced personnel could manage such a delicate situation.

Coordinating a global effort

Despite the complexity, AXA Partners US rose to the challenge. Within 18 hours of the family’s call, the air ambulance, medical team, and necessary clearances were in place. The 32-hour flight, with multiple refuelling stops, was carefully coordinated to ensure smooth transitions. Throughout the journey, AXA Partners US maintained communication with the family, medical staff, and authorities.

The plane landed in Houston, Texas, on 19 January, and the girl was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. Her surgeon met with the family to plan the surgery, which was scheduled for 24 January due to the complexity of theeight and a half hour procedure and the need for team coordination.

The family was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief as the surgery went well. After 12 days of recovery, the patient returned home on 29 January.

Going the extra mile

When a loved one’s health and safety are at risk, there is no room for error. At AXA Partners US they understand this better than anyone. Their expertise in handling complex medical evacuations and their global network of trusted providers ensure that no matter how challenging, will do whatever it takes to bring patients home safely.

This case underscores the importance of travel insurance and the value of relying on a globally renowned provider like AXA Partners US. 

Within 18 hours of the
family’s call, the air
ambulance, medical team,
and necessary clearances
were in place

A task that appeared simple quickly became a challenge that pushed every boundary, demonstrating that AXA Partners US is fully equipped to handle the extraordinary.