A nurse in Thailand, Wiwat Laonoi, 61, has shared her harrowing experience of rescuing monks after a tragic accident on July 2, 2023, in Mukdahan province. An 11-year-old boy lost control of his family's pickup truck, crashing into a group of 40 monks on a pilgrimage, leading to the death of 10 monks and injuring over 20 others.

Wiwat, who has dedicated nearly four decades to nursing, was the first responder at the scene. She described the accident as "horrific," stating that she had never witnessed anything like it before. Alongside her, hospital staff member Parichat Kochakueng also expressed the terrifying nature of the scene, where many monks were struck down by the speeding vehicle, lying scattered along the roadside.

Despite the Buddhist rule that prohibits women from touching monks, Wiwat felt compelled to act. "I responded that it didn't matter at that moment; to me, they were patients who needed help," she explained. At the time, no emergency personnel had arrived, prompting her to remain calm and take charge of the situation.

Wiwat immediately checked the monks' pulses and performed CPR, coordinating with the local hospital to transport all victims for treatment. The accident resulted in five monks dying at the scene and five others succumbing to their injuries in the hospital. As of the previous weekend, ten individuals remained hospitalized, with two in critical condition.

With her retirement approaching in September, Wiwat hopes to continue volunteering in communities lacking medical care. "As a nurse, I am proud to have been able to use my knowledge to help others," she stated.

Initial police investigations revealed that the young boy had secretly taken the pickup truck without his parents' permission, driving approximately 10 kilometers before losing control and causing the tragedy. Under Thai law, the boy will not face criminal charges, but his parents will be held accountable.