Puerto madryn: A Taiwanese chiropractor who lost his wife in a traffic accident in Argentina nearly four decades ago donated an ambulance earlier this week to the hospital that treated him and his infant daughter, in a gesture of gratitude for the help they received during the tragedy. Hsu Wen-ming on Thursday presented the ambulance to Hospital Andr©ssola in Puerto Madryn, a port city in Chubut Province, thanking medical staff and local residents who helped his family after the 1988 accident.
According to Focus Taiwan, Hsu and five family members were driving near Puerto Madryn to a whale-watching site in 1988 when their vehicle was involved in a serious crash that left the family devastated. Hsu's wife, Chiang Feng-chiao, suffered severe bleeding and was transported to the hospital in a regular vehicle due to the lack of properly equipped ambulances for emergency care at the time. Tragically, she died from her injuries before receiving timely treatment.
Hsu and his 6-month-old daughter survived and were taken to the hospital for treatment, leaving the infant suddenly without her mother's care. During their stay, a local nurse and a female patient at the hospital volunteered to take turns breastfeeding and caring for the baby, helping the father and daughter through one of the most difficult moments of their lives. Hsu said he never forgot the kindness shown by strangers and vowed at the time to one day donate an ambulance to the hospital.
The tragedy dramatically changed the course of his life. After returning to Taiwan, Hsu studied chiropractic and spinal adjustment techniques and spent years practicing and offering free medical services around the world. Known for his skill and compassion, he earned the nickname "the hands of an angel" while working in South America.
In an interview with CNA, Hsu said the idea of donating an ambulance emerged soon after the accident, but fulfilling the promise took years. After securing funding, he initially planned to import an ambulance from abroad, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed logistics and administrative procedures. Argentina's financial and legal regulations also complicated the process. Following advice from local friends and officials, Hsu instead purchased a vehicle in Argentina and had it converted into a mobile intensive care unit in C³rdoba Province in 2025. The ambulance features a commemorative plaque bearing the Spanish name of his late wife, "Analia," in her memory.
Hospital Andr©ssola said the ambulance will be used in local emergency medical services to assist residents in need of urgent care. The donation ceremony also became a deeply personal reunion. The hospital arranged for Hsu to meet the physician who treated him in 1988, as well as the nurse and the woman who helped care for his daughter. Now in their 80s, they shared an emotional reunion nearly four decades later. For Hsu, the donation represents not only a piece of medical equipment, but also a tribute to the kindness of strangers and a lasting memorial to his late wife.