Canadian Tourist Dies Climbing Krabi's Tiger Cave Temple Steps

47 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Most publicised are young footballers in the premier league that drop dead on the pitch from a previously unknown heart condition.

When? Muamba and Lockyear survived. So did Ginola and Eriksen in Europe.

52 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Lots of younger guys die from heart failure. Most publicised are young footballers in the premier league that drop dead on the pitch from a previously unknown heart condition. Climbing 1,100 stairs in the mid Thai summer could kill anyone. Not to mention, these days the average middle aged guy from Europe, US, Canada is likely to be overweight.

I don’t think any have dropped dead. There is Muamba, Lockyer and Erickson of course. All of whom are alive. And none were married to Thai women and living in Thailand.

Ask yourself the question, is he more likely to have been young given the circumstances quoted, or elderly?

It’s not out of the question that he was young but statistically speaking my commonsense tells me that it’s unlikely to have been the case.

I have climbed those steps and there are plenty of resting places, it’s not played at the pace of a premier league football match.

You put your bet wherever you like, my money is on an elderly Canadian. A young guy is a long shot

Stay in a high rise. Take lift to top floor look at the view. Then go have a beer. Those climbing steps are no fun and often slippery.

I'm actually surprised someone doesn't die there weekly. When I was 65, I considered myself in pretty good shape, and I attempted the climb but nearly died at the same place this guy passed. I'm not sure if it was heat stroke or a near heart attack, or both. I literally trained hard for a year and went back and climbed to the top without issue.

18 hours ago, 1tooth said:

Why do young Thai wives keep taking their old geriatric white husbands to this attraction?they

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Not to mention, these days the average middle aged guy from Europe, US, Canada is likely to be overweight.

And "vaccinated" for "COVID".

19 hours ago, 1tooth said:

Why do young Thai wives keep taking their old geriatric white husbands to this attraction?

@1tooth Excuse you, but where did it say anything about a young Thai wife or that he was an old or geriatric or white husband. You made 4 generalized for which you should receive fifty lashes with a wet noodle.

Climbed that place when I was 30 along with my fat French girlfriend. I barely made it to the top, but she did it with minimal effort.

20 hours ago, 1tooth said:

Why do young Thai wives keep taking their old geriatric white husbands to this attraction?

why do you think? $$$

About 10 yrs ago a then friend (aged in his early 70s ) of mine would run up those steps to the very top, I think if my memory is correct in about 20 mins. I also used to run up.

The difference was that we were both very fit thinking nothing of running 10k in the Thai evening.

The trouble I think is some people who are not very fit but perhaps think they are still 25yrs old foolishly try such climbs.

16 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

Me too, back in 2011. Went back in August 2025 but didn't climb, instead made this drone video of the temple in the early morning hours.

Nicely done! Enjoyed that, thx! 👍

12 hours ago, NanLaew said:

When? Muamba and Lockyear survived. So did Ginola and Eriksen in Europe.

AI summary:

..................................

Several footballers have tragically died on the pitch or immediately after collapsing during a match, often due to sudden cardiac arrest, including high-profile cases like Marc-Vivien Foé (2003), Antonio Puerta (2007), and Miklós Fehér (2004). These incidents have led to improved medical protocols and screening in modern football.

Notable Footballers Who Died on the Pitch

• Marc-Vivien Foé (2003): Collapsed during the Confederations Cup semi-final for Cameroon against Colombia due to heart failure.

• Miklós Fehér (2004): The Benfica player collapsed on the pitch in stoppage time against Vitória de Guimarães due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

• Antonio Puerta (2007): Collapsed in the penalty area during a Sevilla match against Getafe and died three days later in the hospital.

• Piermario Morosini (2012): Suffered a fatal heart attack while playing for Livorno against Pescara.

• Mattia Giani (2024): The 26-year-old Italian player died after a heart attack on the pitch.

• Sergei Perkhun (2001): Goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow who died after a head collision during a match.

• Jose Antonio Gallardo (1988): Goalkeeper for Malaga who passed away after a head injury sustained during a game.

• Cristian Gómez (2015): Died after collapsing during a game in Argentina.

  YouTube +5

Common Causes

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest/Heart Attack: Most common cause, often caused by undiagnosed conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or inflammation.

• Traumatic Injuries: Head collisions or injuries leading to internal bleeding or cerebral hemorrhage.

Others Who Survived

• Fabrice Muamba (2012): Survived after his heart stopped for 78 minutes following a collapse in an FA Cup match.

• Christian Eriksen (2021): Suffered a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 but was resuscitated and returned to professional football

These tragic deaths have resulted in a significant increase in on-pitch defibrillators, medical training, and mandatory cardiac screenings to prevent such occurrences.

.....................

On 3/31/2026 at 2:20 AM, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Better to go out on his shield attempting a hike than rotting away in a nursing home or hospital bed. Wife was 61 so he was likely ~80? If only I could be so lucky to die around that age and in that manner.

I am 82 and hopefully I have enough sense not to do something like that.

23 hours ago, simon43 said:

We all have to go some time, and as Oliver said, better than dying/rotting in an old people's home...

And cheaper

5 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

AI summary:

..................................

Several footballers have tragically died on the pitch or immediately after collapsing during a match, often due to sudden cardiac arrest, including high-profile cases like Marc-Vivien Foé (2003), Antonio Puerta (2007), and Miklós Fehér (2004). These incidents have led to improved medical protocols and screening in modern football.

Notable Footballers Who Died on the Pitch

• Marc-Vivien Foé (2003): Collapsed during the Confederations Cup semi-final for Cameroon against Colombia due to heart failure.

• Miklós Fehér (2004): The Benfica player collapsed on the pitch in stoppage time against Vitória de Guimarães due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

• Antonio Puerta (2007): Collapsed in the penalty area during a Sevilla match against Getafe and died three days later in the hospital.

• Piermario Morosini (2012): Suffered a fatal heart attack while playing for Livorno against Pescara.

• Mattia Giani (2024): The 26-year-old Italian player died after a heart attack on the pitch.

• Sergei Perkhun (2001): Goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow who died after a head collision during a match.

• Jose Antonio Gallardo (1988): Goalkeeper for Malaga who passed away after a head injury sustained during a game.

• Cristian Gómez (2015): Died after collapsing during a game in Argentina.

  YouTube +5

Common Causes

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest/Heart Attack: Most common cause, often caused by undiagnosed conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or inflammation.

• Traumatic Injuries: Head collisions or injuries leading to internal bleeding or cerebral hemorrhage.

Others Who Survived

• Fabrice Muamba (2012): Survived after his heart stopped for 78 minutes following a collapse in an FA Cup match.

• Christian Eriksen (2021): Suffered a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 but was resuscitated and returned to professional football

These tragic deaths have resulted in a significant increase in on-pitch defibrillators, medical training, and mandatory cardiac screenings to prevent such occurrences.

.....................

Good effort, but which events and players were in the "premier league"?

27 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Good effort, but which events and players were in the "premier league"?

Maybe I was being generic - I meant pro footballers

I did the climb in 2016 a few days after my birthday, it was wet, hot and the uneven steps were very difficult however I made it and have the photos to prove it. I have considered trying it again as I live in Ao nang but seeing it will be my eightieth I think I will give it a miss...

On 3/31/2026 at 2:35 AM, Priorexpat said:

I've done that climb and yea, it's a haul.

Best to have signage at the bottom warning elderly and people with heart conditions not attempt the entire thing.

Signage does not seem to do much. There are several signs, in English) at the entrance of the temple and walking through the temple informing and reminding people that this is a temple grounds and they should dress appropriately. At least one of the signs (when I was there last time) has pictures specifically showing what appropriate and inappropriate dress looks like. However, I still saw foreign men in tank tops and shirtless and foreign women wearing bathing suit tops and hot pants. I am not sure that a sign would stop anyone.

It's a case of 'You can just do things' and off they go up the stairs of challenge.

On 4/1/2026 at 2:22 AM, Tiger1980 said:

About 10 yrs ago a then friend (aged in his early 70s ) of mine would run up those steps to the very top, I think if my memory is correct in about 20 mins. I also used to run up.

The difference was that we were both very fit thinking nothing of running 10k in the Thai evening.

The trouble I think is some people who are not very fit but perhaps think they are still 25yrs old foolishly try such climbs.

Utter <deleted>, running up those steps....

Thanks for that - i needed a laugh.

If your body is acclimatised to such tasks, probably no problem. Personally, I walk up 4 flights of stairs. I'm breathing a bit heavily at the top, and there was a time I would've done them two at a time. Such is life. On the other hand, sitting on a barstool, then attempting such tasks is inviting disaster.