A patient being transported by ambulance after suffering cardiac arrest was killed when the emergency vehicle overturned following a collision with a passenger car in the city of Chania, on the Greek island of Crete.

The fatal crash occurred early Sunday morning as the ambulance was carrying a 53-year-old man to hospital.

According to reports, one of the paramedics was in the rear of the ambulance performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the moment of the collision, desperately trying to revive the patient.

The impact caused the ambulance to overturn, prompting a rescue operation by firefighters, who used three vehicles to free those trapped inside. The patient was recovered from the wreckage but was pronounced dead.

Paramedics and nurse injured

The two paramedics sustained injuries in the crash but are not in life-threatening condition.

One remains in hospital as a precaution with chest injuries, while the other is being treated for shock.

The driver of the passenger car, a nurse at Chania General Hospital who had just finished her shift, was also injured and taken to hospital. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Ambulance workers issue road safety appeal

Following the fatal crash, the local union representing ambulance workers expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased patient and wished the injured paramedics and the nurse a swift recovery.

In a statement, the union said the incident highlighted the challenging conditions emergency medical crews face every day, where every second can make the difference between life and death.

The union also urged motorists to remain alert when emergency vehicles approach and, whenever possible, facilitate their safe passage.

“Behind every ambulance responding to a person in need are healthcare professionals working under extremely demanding conditions with very little margin for error,” the statement said, adding that ensuring their safety is a shared responsibility for all road users.