A woman, 57, lost her leg after becoming trapped in a moving walkway at an airport on Thursday, June 29.

The accident happened at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. The passenger was preparing to board a flight from Terminal 2 when an unfortunate stumble over her suitcase resulted in her leg becoming entangled in the moving walkway mechanism.

Despite the swift response and tireless efforts of the airport’s medical team, the severity of the situation forced them to make the difficult decision of amputating the woman’s left leg above the knee. A picture from the incident shows her leaning against a first responder, with her amputated limb concealed by a pair of jeans.

Initially, the woman was taken to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, where the doctors determined her leg was not reattachable. However, subsequent consultation at Bumrungrad International Hospital provided a glimmer of hope for reattachment. 

Don Mueang Airport disclosed that the moving walkway, installed by Japanese company Hitachi in 1996, was involved in the accident. The exact role that the wheels of the suitcase played in this unfortunate incident is yet to be determined.

Airport Director Karun Thanakuljeerapat said during a news conference that the airport will cover the passenger’s medical costs and is open to discussing additional compensation.