Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

Video Credit: CEN

This is the shocking moment a car swerves into the opposite lane and hits an ambulance head-on killing two people and injuring seven.

The incident took place at around 6.37am in the coastal city of Puerto Caldera in the western Costa Rican province of Puntarenas and was filmed by the dash cam of a car travelling behind the Red Cross ambulance.

In the footage, a speeding car is seen swerving into the oncoming traffic in the opposite direction and hitting the ambulance head-on before both vehicles come to a stop at the barrier.

Pictures Credit: CEN

Three people were rushed to hospital in a serious condition while six others suffered multiple injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

An 81-year-old man who was inside the ambulance at the time, identified as Praxides Leandro Marin Gonzalez, died in hospital along with an unnamed 12-year-old girl who was travelling in the Kia car.

The elderly victim’s daughter suffered a fracture, according to reports.

Two teenagers aged 17 and 15, reportedly siblings of the young victim, have undergone surgery. One is stable while the other is in intensive care in a critical condition.

The 38-year-old mother of the three children, surnamed Cano, said that they went out to buy some shopping.

According to reports, the car was being driven by a 29-year-old man surnamed Herrera Araya and police suspect that he may have been drunk as there were several bottles of alcohol found inside the vehicle.

Police also found a gun inside the car.

The relationship between the driver and the three children is currently unclear.

According to a preliminary investigation, the Kia driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle.

Local authorities are calling for residents to donate blood as the investigation continues.