Man Drowns in Front of Sister While Searching for Shellfish in Surin Province

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A routine shellfish gathering turned into a horrifying tragedy in Surin Province when a man drowned in front of his sister. The incident occurred at the irrigation canal near Baan Chalerm Phra Kiat, in Nork Muang Subdistrict, Mueang Surin District.

 

Police Lieutenant Sarakrit Thararak, Deputy Inspector at the Mueang Surin Police Station, was notified of a missing person in the canal at 09:05. A rescue diving team from Surin, along with hospital medical staff, were immediately dispatched to the scene to assist in the search.

 

The area where the incident occurred is a 4 metre deep irrigation canal frequently used by locals for agricultural purposes. Villagers often come to search for shellfish at the site. When the diving team arrived, locals were already searching for the missing man at the spot where his sister had last seen him.

 

 

The victim, later identified as 55-year-old Mr. Somphot (surname withheld), had been searching for shellfish in the canal when he suddenly disappeared underwater. His 52-year-old sister, Ms. Phai (surname withheld), was present during the incident and pointed to the area where her brother had submerged.

 

After an extensive search, which included local villagers and the rescue diving team, the victim’s wife, Ms. Suk (surname withheld), lit incense and prayed to the goddess of water, pleading for her husband’s body to be found. She implored him not to hide from those searching for him, asking him to open the way for his body to be returned home.

 

Approximately 30 minutes later, the rescue team found Mr. Somphot’s body about 4-5 metres away from where he was last seen. His body was recovered from the water, causing grief to his family, who had anxiously waited for news at the scene.

 

Ms. Suk and Ms. Phai were inconsolable, sobbing uncontrollably. Throughout the rescue, they expressed their heartbreak, saying, “I told him not to go searching for shellfish after drinking alcohol. He never listened. Now, he’s gone. Please come back, I love you.”

 

Ms. Phai recounted that her brother often drank alcohol and would frequently come to the canal to search for shellfish while intoxicated. She had been picking vegetables nearby when she noticed her brother struggling in the water, bobbing up and down before disappearing beneath the surface. She immediately called out to nearby villagers for help, but after five minutes of searching, they were unable to locate him and contacted the authorities.

 

Ms. Suk also revealed that her husband had a habit of secretly drinking alcohol and that she frequently warned him not to do so before going to the canal. On the day of the tragedy, he hadn’t eaten breakfast and had left the house to search for shellfish before anything else. When her sister-in-law came rushing to her home with the news, she was heartbroken and speechless.

 

Lieutenant Sarakrit, along with medical personnel from Surin Hospital, documented the scene. Initial reports suggest that the victim may have experienced cramps or exhaustion before drowning.

 

Picture from responders.

 

-- 2024-10-12

 

 

[Korat Kiwi]

By the look of the water, I doubt any shellfish would be good for your health. 

 

Booze and swimming are not a good combination at the best of times. 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Ms. Suk (surname withheld), lit incense and prayed to the goddess of water, pleading for her husband’s body to be found. She implored him not to hide from those searching for him, asking him to open the way for his body to be returned home.

If she implored him to learn to swim he could have returned home upright.

[Bday Prang]

On 10/12/2024 at 1:15 PM, hotchilli said:

If she implored him to learn to swim he could have returned home upright.

I find the story rather strange, There is no mention of whether he could swim or not,   If he couldn't , and many can't here, then his death is hardly unexpected, drunk or not , playing in 4 metre deep water is hardly a risk free activity for a non swimmer,

             I'm genuinely surprised this didn't happen years ago if it a regular pastime of his.

              I can only imagine that he was using some sort of buoyancy aid like a gallon plastic oil container or similar which he lost hold of and it floated out of his reach 

 On the other hand if he could swim , even if drunk , I'm sure he could have swum to the bank, its hardly the Amazon and it wasn't flooding?    Maybe it was the water faries