From Mannarpuram, pilot Sathish Kumar narrated how he manoeuvred through flood-hit roads during the monsoon and said he frequently visits accident-prone areas like Manikandam.

“In one case, we had to cross a submerged road to reach a pregnant woman in labour. With local help, we transported her across safely. We made it to the hospital just in time,” he said.

Each pilot undergoes rigorous training in safe and swift driving, first aid, and patient handling. Their work is not just about transport, it involves critical thinking, empathy, and teamwork under immense pressure.

“In urban areas, a 108 ambulance reaches within 8 minutes, and in rural or hilly regions, within 12 minutes,” said J Kumaran, Programme Manager of 108 Services in Tiruchy. “This is crucial during golden hour emergencies like trauma, cardiac arrest, or childbirth.”

In Tiruchy district, 44 ambulances operated by over 110 pilots and 115 technicians form the backbone of emergency medical response. The emergency fleet also includes seven hearse vans, four mother-and-child welfare vehicles, and two wheelers extending critical support beyond accidents and trauma.

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