A 13-year-old boy died in the Moscow region after a private ambulance service reportedly demanded payment before transporting him to a hospital in Moscow. The incident was shared on the Telegram channel Shot.
According to the report, the family was asked for a fee of 100,000 rubles for the transport of the child from Vidnoye to the city hospital in Moscow. The boy had previously been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and had been placed in intensive care. Family members explained that local hospital staff could not stabilize his condition, and the boy could only breathe with an oxygen mask.
The father arranged for a Moscow hospital assessment and decided to send his son with his mother in a private ambulance to the capital. It was claimed that the dispatcher had informed a Moscow region resident about service prices. The listing reportedly included a 15,000 ruble base fee, a 200 ruble charge, and a 4,000 ruble per kilometer travel cost, with oxygen expenses also itemized.
Upon arrival at the pick-up location, the paramedic allegedly demanded 100,000 rubles from the parents. The father then called the dispatcher and accepted a service fee of 30,000 rubles, alleging that the ambulance worker did not warn about a discount after the call.
While the mother and child were moved to the awaiting hospital, the father transferred 30,000 rubles. The Telegram channel Shot reported that the paramedic reacted with a confrontation, leaving a Moscow region resident with the sick teenager. Later, the father arranged for another private ambulance to take the boy to a Moscow clinic, where he is reported to be recovering.
In a separate note, a 74-year-old pensioner in Moscow was previously referenced in connection with an incident involving a suspicious ambulance crew and a theft claim tied to an inheritance of the Order of the Red Star. This unrelated item appears to be part of a broader set of reported concerns about ambulance services at the time.
Independent observers emphasize that any medical transport should prioritize patient care, adhere to established medical protocols, and avoid pressuring families with payment demands. The evolving story highlights the importance of transparent pricing, clear service terms, and accountability in emergency medical services across the region. The information cited here originates from the Shot Telegram channel, which has been reporting on this case as it developed.