Bang Na mall escalator accident injures child, prompts safety protocol questions

[webfact]

 

A four year old girl suffered injuries after her foot got stuck in the escalator at a shopping mall in Bang Na. Despite the swift response of the mall’s personnel, the rescue operation was delayed due to confusion about which part of the escalator to dismantle. The incident occurred yesterday evening and resulted in medical costs exceeding 7,000 baht (US$ 192) for the family.

 

At 9pm yesterday, a reporter visited the girl’s parents at their residence in Praksa subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province. The parents recounted the day’s events, describing how they had taken their daughter to the play area at the mall.

 

The accident occurred as they descended the escalator at the end of their visit. The girl’s foot was sucked into the escalator while they were looking for the emergency stop button. They expressed concern about the mall’s emergency response protocols, suggesting that there was no clear procedure in place for such accidents.

 

It took approximately 30 minutes to free the girl’s foot from the escalator. The mall’s personnel arrived at the scene within five minutes of the accident, but the delay occurred during dismantling.

 

by Samantha Rose 

Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-14

 

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[Irish star]

And I see all the kids and teenagers and older sitting on escalators steps my gawd 

[Srikcir]

I cringe every time I see riding an escalator an Arab person in full length Arab dress (Abaya) where the fabric drags on the floor. Just seems an accident waiting.

[Tropicalevo]

Yesterday, I saw a young girl, walking backwards up the down escalator.

What could possibly go wrong.

[Bangkok Barry]

The parents have urged the mall to use this incident as a learning experience to develop clear procedures for handling such emergencies.

 

Always someone else's fault in Thailand, isn't it. always.

 

And the Mall authorities urged parents of young children to watch them carefully, especially in potentially dangerous situations. They wouldn't say that of course, but they should.

[Gold Star]

The Thai escalator / meat grinder is the least of my worries here.

 

Simply walking on many Thai footpaths is a hazard in itself.

 

While your eyes are focused down to avoid holes, curbs, and many unnecessary obstructions to step over, you bash your head on low hanging poles, signs, sharp bolts sticking out of walls, and loose wires. Some of them powered up, ready to fry you to a crisp.

[richard_smith237]

Poor child... I hope she makes a full recovery and is young enough for the trauma of this incident not to stick. 

 

Escalators are dangers and need to be treated with greater respect than many 'every-day' things we encounter - sometimes this is forgotten with the naive complacency. 

 

I wonder what type of footwear the child was wearing....

 

Footware such as crocks and soft rubber flipflops etc are lethal in such settings. 

 

 

We don't own crocks (both wife and I think they are hideous things) and we never wear flip-flops in the city or at a mall etc... (flip flops are for the beach or going going to the pool etc).

 

Also, from a very young age our son was 'taught' about using the escalator and travelator - to stand in the middle of the step, pay attention and 'step off it'....  all common sense....   

 

 

Not wishing to victim blame here, but I wonder how careful the parents were with their child on the escalator. As another poster mentioned, how often do we see kids sitting on an escalator or with their feet close to the edge etc and parent do nothing?

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by richard_smith237

[richard_smith237]

The linked article over-eggs it somewhat...

 

Quote

Following the incident, the girl has developed a fear of playgrounds and escalators.

It happened at 9pm yesterday evening...  has the child even seen a playground since then ????

[realfunster]

51 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

The linked article over-eggs it somewhat...

 

It happened at 9pm yesterday evening...  has the child even seen a playground since then ????

Yes indeed. After the Don Meuang incident, it’s great copy for newshounds isn’t it.

 

Whilst accepting this may be a developing situation, initial medical costs reported of THB 7k don’t appear to indicate a major injury…

[stoner]

seems like this is becoming a MEGA problem around thailand. 

[kidneyw]

Hey snowflakes, there are always the stairs.

[proton]

4 hours ago, stoner said:

seems like this is becoming a MEGA problem around thailand. 

Could have been at Central, much older

[The Theory]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The girl’s foot was sucked into the escalator

If a foot can be sucked in ???? it means something is seriously wrong with escalator. ????

[MarkyM3]

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The linked article over-eggs it somewhat...

 

It happened at 9pm yesterday evening...  has the child even seen a playground since then ????

Where there's blame, there's a claim... ????

[still kicking]

6 hours ago, kidneyw said:

Hey snowflakes, there are always the stairs.

Not for me since I can't walk steps anymore, I have to use a lift.

[jacko45k]

Impressive bandage!

[worldexpress]

How often do safety protocol questions need to be prompted for the same problem before something is actually done about it?

 

But then Thai football has been jystifying one humiliation after another in extra-Asean international plays as "to gain experience for the future" in the last 40 years while actually going backwards. Tiny Estonia awaits eagerly tonight, btw.