Picture from responders.

 

A 94-year-old man suffered serious injuries after falling from a 15-metre-tall sugar palm tree while attempting to collect fruit. Rescue workers were called to the scene after locals spotted him lying motionless beneath the tree.

 

At around 14.00 on 5 February, the Traikhunatham Foundation rescue unit was alerted to the incident, which occurred in Soi Phrom Sunthorn Monastery, Samet Subdistrict, Mueang Chonburi District. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to provide aid.

 

Upon arrival, they found the elderly man, identified as “Chai”, lying at the base of the palm tree with a broken right thigh. The makeshift wooden nailed steps, used to climb the tree, had snapped, causing the fall. Rescue workers administered first aid and secured the injured limb before transporting him to Chonburi Hospital for further treatment.

 

According to witnesses, Chai regularly climbed the tall palm trees to collect fruit, as he had done for years. On this occasion, he had gone out early in the morning, but when he failed to return, villagers became concerned.

 

A worker tending to a nearby fishpond was the first to discover him. “I was checking the pond when I noticed him lying under the tree. He looked badly hurt, so I rushed out to call for help,” the worker explained.

 

Chai was found with a bundle of freshly cut palm fruit beside him, suggesting that he had been working at the time of the fall. The broken wooden step on the tree indicated that it had likely given way beneath him, causing the fall.

 

-- 2025-02-06

 

 

I am amazed that he is able to climb a tree at 94 years of age, hope he is able to recover from his injuries

He is 94 years old, but no brains?? who is climbing a tree of 15 meters at this age with normal sense??  It is a amazing he can climb at this age, and he is very lucky he is still alive.. Let the youth do it

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

He is 94 years old, but no brains?? who is climbing a tree of 15 meters at this age with normal sense??  It is a amazing he can climb at this age, and he is very lucky he is still alive.. Let the youth do it

Maybe he has no family to help take care of him and has to continue working to survive. 600 bht a month Thai pension doesn't buy you much these days.

7 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Maybe he has no family to help take care of him and has to continue working to survive. 600 bht a month Thai pension doesn't buy you much these days.

Totally true and with this amount of pension he can't hire someone to climb for him... That is also the sad story of Thailand