Medical helicopter flies injured woman to Plovdiv after deadly Trakia highway crash

A severe traffic collision occurred on the Trakia highway near the village of Zimnica, Yambol province, on 24 June, killing three people – two children and a man – and leaving a 49‑year‑old woman in critical condition. The woman suffered extensive internal injuries, including tears of the small and large intestines, a serious skull‑brain trauma and severe chest injuries. After undergoing multiple surgeries at the Multidisciplinary Hospital "St. Pantaleimon" in Yambol, she was transferred by air ambulance to University Hospital "St. George" in Plovdiv. The helicopter landed at the hospital’s helipad at 14:30, and doctors indicated that her vital signs have been stabilised enough for transport, though she remains in a coma under intensive‑care monitoring by neurosurgery, vascular, abdominal and thoracic teams.

The driver of the truck involved, identified as E. D., has been detained for up to 72 hours on suspicion of negligent homicide. Prosecutors are conducting a thorough investigation, including technical examinations of the truck’s tyres and the highway guardrails, and have requested a pre‑trial detention order.