Ambulance explodes, kills patient outside hospital, Hawaii officials say

An ambulance exploded outside a Kailua hospital, killing a patient and critically injuring a medic, Hawaii officials told news outlets.

The ambulance burst into flames at Adventist Health Castle hospital on Oahu on Wednesday, Aug. 24, killing the 91-year-old patient inside, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

A paramedic, an 8-year veteran with the city, suffered critical burn injuries, KHON reported. The other medic assigned to the ambulance was not hurt.

“This is something I’ve never seen before,” Dr. Jim Ireland, emergency services director, said at a news briefing, HawaiiNewsNow reported. “It’s a very difficult situation for us.”

An investigation into the explosion and fire continues, KITV reported. The cause is not known.

The ambulance was stationed at Kaneohe, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. The injured paramedic was taken to the Straub Hospital burn unit.

This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Ambulance explodes, kills patient outside hospital, Hawaii officials say."