Elderly Disabled Man Drowns at Jomtien Beach

[Georgealbert]

 

 

An elderly man with a disabled leg tragically drowned at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on the evening of November 8. The incident occurred around 17:05 prompting local authorities and rescue personnel to respond.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Chonlawit Athiphansee, Deputy Investigator at the Dongtan substation of Pattaya City Police, received the distress call and coordinated with Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescue staff, who arrived on the scene promptly.

 

Witnesses, including startled tourists, observed good Samaritans assisting the elderly man, estimated to be around 60-70 years old. He was wearing long-sleeved clothing, long pants, and shoes. The bystanders helped bring him to shore, where rescuers attempted to revive him by administering CPR. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. No signs of assault or identification documents were found on his person.

 

According to Mrs. Sirilak Sriperat, a 61-year-old owner of a beach chair rental at Jomtien Beach, the elderly man, whose name and nationality remain unknown, had been seen sitting at the water’s edge, after a nearby boat operator noticed something amiss with him in the water and assisted him back to shore, placing him in a wheelchair. 

 

While seated, he seemed to drift into sleep, eventually tipping over with his wheelchair. Onlookers helped him up, but shortly afterward, he returned to the beach on his own without the wheelchair and sat by the water once again. Later, onlookers observed his body floating face-down in the water. A number of foreign tourists helped to rescue him, but unfortunately, it was too late.

 

The circumstances of his actions have led some to question if the man had intended to harm himself. Lieutenant Colonel Chonlawit Athiphansee, the investigating officer, briefed Police Colonel Navin Theerawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, on the incident. Investigators are exploring two main theories: either the man was accidentally pulled under by waves due to his physical limitations, or he may have taken his own life, as his attire was unusual for swimming. 

 

The body will be sent to the Police General Hospital’s forensic institute for further examination, as the investigation into the incident continues.

 

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-09