Man Dies After Falling from Electric Pole in Chanthaburi

Picture provided by responders

On the afternoon of 22 December, a fatal incident occurred in Ban Ton Sai, Village 19, Kaeng Hang Maew District, Chanthaburi, when a man fell from an electric pole. The local rescue team from the Sawang Katanyu Foundation was alerted at approximately 14:00 and responded swiftly to the scene.

Upon arrival, rescue workers found the victim, an unidentified man, lying unconscious beneath the pole, which was roughly four metres high. He had no pulse, and immediate CPR was administered in an attempt to revive him. Emergency services also coordinated with Kaeng Hang Maew Hospital to send an ambulance to assist at the site.

Initial reports indicate that the man was not doing official Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) work and it is unclear what work was being carried out at the time of the incident. 

The pole, located along a dirt track near a rubber plantation, revealed a curious detail: the man’s sandals had been modified with attachments to aid climbing. These sandals were still fixed to the pole when responders arrived.

It is unclear whether the man suffered an electric shock or slipped while on the pole. No burns or other signs of electrical injury were visible on his body. However, responders noted that he had sustained head trauma upon hitting the ground, which may have been a significant factor in his death.

Despite the rescue team’s efforts, the man was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kaeng Hang Maew Hospital.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of the fall and the man’s reasons for climbing the pole.

-- 2024-12-23