Picture from responders.

 

A 55-year-old man tragically lost his life while attempting to repair a water pump in a 12-metre deep groundwater well, succumbing to the effects of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) and a lack of breathable air, on the morning of September 24, in Chai Nat Province.

 

The victim, identified as Pichailak Khumjiamkasem, was working in a field in Don Kam Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, when the fatal incident occurred. He was accompanied by his wife, 47-year-old Chayanphim Khumjiamkasem, who helplessly watched the situation unfold.

 

 

According to local authorities, who arrived on the scene following the call, Pichailak had entered the well to fix a malfunctioning pump. As he descended, he began to struggle with breathing, trying to climb back up the ladder but was quickly overpowered by the toxic gas. His wife, seeing him in distress, rushed to find help, but it was too late by the time rescuers arrived.

 

Rescue teams from Cha Nat’s disaster response unit, along with medical professionals, spent over an hour recovering Pichailak’s body from the narrow well. Equipped with breathing apparatus and ropes, the team faced numerous challenges due to the depth and lack of breathable air in the well. The presence of H2S was confirmed by using a gas detector.

 

Chayanphim, visibly distraught, recounted how the tragedy unfolded. "He went down to fix the pump. At first, everything seemed fine, but suddenly, he couldn’t breathe. I saw him struggling to climb back up, but he just didn’t have the strength. By the time I could get help, it was too late."

 

Authorities have confirmed that Pichailak died from asphyxiation caused by the lack of oxygen in the well and the inhalation of hydrogen sulfide gas. His body was later handed over to his family for religious rites.

 

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) gives off a “rotten egg” odour. This gas can occur in wells naturally as a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks or produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the  ground water.

 

-- 2024-09-25

 

 

And they still have no idea what a gas detector is...!

They keep dying in pits......!

Keeps happening. Need some canaries.

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

And they still have no idea what a gas detector is...!

They keep dying in pits......!

 

30 minutes ago, nausea said:

Keeps happening. Need some canaries.

 

I for one had no idea that hydrogen sulfide gas formed in wells and I have have one.

That is the great thing about being old.

You realise just how little you really know and you are constantly learning.

 

There are many, many wells here on Samui but I do not know anyone who has a gas detector for them.

4 hours ago, nausea said:

Keeps happening. Need some canaries.

They've eaten them all

7 hours ago, nausea said:

Keeps happening. Need some canaries.

They all died. The replacement budgies talked their way out of the job.

H2S can kill you quickly at concentrations as low as 100 parts per million. It's idiotic to do something like that without wearing supplemental oxygen.