Picture from responders.

 

An elderly woman tragically fell to her death while attempting to pick mangoes from a tree outside her home in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram province. The 68-year-old, identified as Mrs. Somsri (surname withheld), had climbed a bamboo ladder to reach the fruit when she lost her footing and fell approximately three metres, suffering fatal head injuries.

 

The incident occurred at around 09:00 on 14 February, with police and emergency responders arriving at the scene shortly after. Upon their arrival, officers from Amphawa Police Station, led by Sub-Inspector Komson Promsiri, found Mrs. Somsri lying beneath an eight-metre mango tree, her husband, 74-year-old Mr. Montree sitting nearby.

 

According to initial reports, Mrs. Somsri had been distressed that squirrels were eating the mangoes and was determined to collect them before they were spoiled. Despite having mobility issues and relying on a walking aid, she had climbed the tree before, confident in her ability due to her past experience harvesting coconut sugar in her younger years.

 

Her husband, who also struggles with mobility, was sitting at the base of the tree when the incident occurred. “She told me she was going up to pick the mangoes and asked me to watch from below,” he recounted. “Then suddenly, she fell.”

 

Investigators believe Mrs. Somsri lost her balance while climbing, falling from the ninth rung of the ladder. Family members have accepted the cause of death as an unfortunate accident, and her body has been released for religious rites.

 

-- 2025-02-15

 

 

Would have benefited from one of those extended mango cutting tools

33 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Would have benefited from one of those extended mango cutting tools

We have one.  Very handy for picking lamyai, litchi and avocados. We don't have a mango tree.

Sad but she could shouldn't be climbing trees at 68.  Leave that to the younger ones.