Picture from responders.

 

A 77-year-old man died after falling from a durian tree in Chanthaburi province. He is believed to have fainted, hit his head on a rock, and drowned in a water channel below.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 15:30 on January 15 in a durian orchard located in Soi Chao Pu Wang Hin, Moo 4, Wang Yao subdistrict, Khlung district. Local police were alerted by Mr. Thongdaeng, 75, the orchard owner and friend of the deceased. Police officers from Khlung Police Station and rescue teams from Khlung Foundation immediately arrived at the scene.

 

The orchard spans about one rai, with the durian tree from which the man fell standing two metres tall beside a channel containing about 40 cm of water. The body of the deceased, identified as Mr.Wi, a resident of Moo 7, Ban Tha Muang, Khlung district, was found face down in the water.

 

Nearby, a metal ladder leaned against the durian tree, with evidence of branch pruning in progress. A saw and a black cap were found near a rock. The cap bore impact marks consistent with the head wound observed on the deceased.

 

Mr. Thongdaeng explained that he had hired the deceased to prune durian branches earlier in the day. After a lunch break, the man resumed work around 14:00. When he noticed that his friend had not returned after a lengthy period, Mr. Thongdaeng went to check and discovered the lifeless body in the channel.

 

Police suspect the man may have fainted while working, falling from the ladder and hitting his head on the rock before drowning.

 

Lieutenant Komkrit Somjit, the investigating officer, documented the scene and collected evidence. The body has been sent to Khlung Hospital for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

 

-- 2025-01-16

 

 

Far out! He sure had some bad stuff going on, poor old fella!