Nakhon Nayok Hospital has ordered an investigation into an incident in which the driver of one of its ambulances, with a patient in critical condition on board, stopped on the way to hospital to pick up deep-fried bananas.

The hospital sent its representatives to apologise to family of Sommai Thongkerd, 64, who was being “rushed” to the hospital with difficulty breathing on October 13.

On the way to the hospital, the driver stopped briefly to pick up the snack from a roadside vendor. It is reported that the driver ordered it online and told the vendor to wait and pass him the food on his way to the hospital.

The brief stop was witnessed by Sommai’s daughter, Suchada Mali, 32, who was in the ambulance with her ill father.

The incident came to light after Suchada complained about it on social media, after her complaint to the hospital produced no results.

Suchada said she told the hospital’s representatives that she does not want such an incident to happen to anybody else. “I wish to know what will happen to the ambulance driver,” she said. She was told that the hospital is investigating the incident.

On Monday the hospital issued a statement, giving the timeline of the incident. It said the stop, which should not have happened, lasted only three seconds.

Sommai was admitted to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment and was discharged the following day after his condition had returned to normal.