Sukabumi, Indonesia Sentinel — Police in Indonesia halted a suspicious ambulance speeding through the Bocimi Toll Road in Sukabumi Regency after discovering it was carrying a group suspected to be tourists rather than patients. The vehicle was stopped near the Parungkuda Toll Gate on Tuesday (April 1).
The incident began when the ambulance was seen using its emergency siren to maneuver through heavy traffic on the Bocimi Toll Road.
“The ambulance was driving in the right lane with its siren and emergency lights activated,” said First Inspector M. Yanuar Fajar, Head of Law Enforcement at the Sukabumi Police Traffic Unit.
Fajar explained that authorities became suspicious when they noticed an unusually high number of passengers inside the vehicle. Police then decided to stop the ambulance for inspection.
“Upon checking, we found that the ambulance was not transporting a patient,” Fajar stated.
When questioned, the passengers claimed they were heading to Sekarwangi Regional General Hospital in Cibadak to visit a patient. However, officers suspected the group was actually on their way to a recreational trip.
“They said they were visiting a sick person, but based on their appearance, it seemed more like they were going on a vacation,” Fajar added.
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Authorities emphasized that ambulances should only be used for emergencies and not for non-urgent trips. “Even if they were going to visit a patient at the hospital, they should not use an emergency vehicle, as it is not an urgent situation,” Fajar stressed.
Consequences
As a consequence, police instructed the ambulance carrying tourists to turn back to its original location. “After verifying the situation, we directed the vehicle to turn around,” Fajar confirmed.
Fajar also urged the public not to misuse ambulances for personal purposes, highlighting that these vehicles should be prioritized for emergencies when transporting or picking up patients.
Authorities warn that misuse of emergency vehicles can lead to legal consequences and disturbing traffic, urging the public to respect the intended function of ambulances.
(Raidi/Agung)
