internationalsos.com - Press releases

International SOS Assists Malaysians in Shanxi Bus Crash

07 June 2006

Indonesia

International SOS has mobilized its resources in Beijing and Malaysia to assist victims of a bus crash in Shanxi, China. The bus crash occurred in Wenshui District, Shanxi province on June 2, 2006. There were 17 Malaysian tourists onboard.

Upon receiving the call for help on the evening of  June 3, a day after the incident occurred, International SOS immediately formed a crisis management team and sent medical and logistics personnel to Shanxi from Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. The first response team, comprising a senior doctor, a nurse, and a Chinese-speaking operations coordinator arrived in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi the following morning.

Working with the local treating doctors and hospitals, the first response team ascertained the location of each victim and obtained preliminary medical reports. Their immediate task is to assess the medical conditions of the victims and develop a plan of action for the victims to receive appropriate medical care. A second International SOS team comprising three intensive care unit doctors and three operations specialists were also mobilized to render assistance to victims and their families.

International SOS assisted the families of the deceased with the cremation of three deceased victims and the repatriation of mortal remains for one deceased victim. The remaining 12 victims under the care of International SOS are closely monitored by the medical teams on the ground and will be evacuated home at an appropriate time. International SOS is working closely with several insurance companies to provide assistance to their insureds involved in the bus crash. International SOS is the official assistance provider of these insurance companies.

About International SOS

International SOS has global operations in over 60 countries, spanning five continents. The company provides clients with a comprehensive portfolio of medical and security services to ensure that people travelling and working internationally have access to immediate help. International SOS' services range from 24-hour medical advice, referrals to qualified doctors and hospitals as well as provision of emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. Last year, the company handled over 370,000 assistance cases, including more than 10,000 medical evacuations.