Pregnant Woman Rescued After Jumping from Bridge into Chanthaburi River

Picture from responders.

A dramatic rescue unfolded in Chanthaburi on the morning of December 12, when a pregnant woman jumped from the Theerat Bridge into the Chanthaburi River. Witnesses and rescue workers raced against time to save her from the fast-moving waters.

At around 08:00 police received a report that a woman, approximately 6-7 months pregnant, had jumped from the bridge, which is located in the Chanthanimith District of Chanthaburi. Her body was being swept downstream, and authorities were immediately dispatched to the scene.

While waiting for the rescue teams to arrive, local residents tried to help by throwing a plastic containers into the river, hoping the woman could use it to stay afloat. Unfortunately, she appeared too weak to grab onto it.

Rescue volunteers from the Sawang Katanyu Chanthaburi Foundation arrived on the scene and spotted the woman approximately 200 metres downstream, about 50 to 60 metres from the riverbank. The woman was floating intermittently, sinking and resurfacing. Without hesitation, one of the rescuers jumped into the water, swam to her, and was able to secure her in time. Nearby villagers in a boat assisted the rescuer in bringing the woman back to shore.

The woman, still unconscious, was immediately taken to Phrapokklao Hospital for treatment. Her condition remains critical, and she is under close medical supervision.

At the scene, authorities found a mobile phone and a pair of sandals near the railing of the bridge, suggesting the woman had placed them there before jumping. Police are currently working to identify her relatives for further investigation.

According to Prapan Suksomkit, the owner of a local coffee shop “Pa Jai,” who witnessed the incident, he had been helping his mother at the store when a customer alerted him to the situation. He later learned that the woman had arrived at the bridge by motorcycle, walked to the middle, placed some items down, and then jumped into the river. Prapan quickly contacted the rescue team, and although he and other bystanders tried to assist by throwing a plastic continers into the water, it was the timely arrival of the rescuers that saved the woman’s life.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the event and are working to inform the woman’s family.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.

-- 2024-12-13