Man Killed by Stray Cutter Blade in Rice Field

Pictures from responders.

A 57-year-old man was killed while working in a rice field when the blade of his grass cutter snapped and lodged in his thigh, severing a major artery. The fatal incident occurred on day before his birthday, as his children were travelling home to celebrate with him.

Police from Bang Pahan Station in Ayutthaya, along with medical personnel from Bang Pahan Hospital and rescue teams from the Ayutthaya Ruam Jai Foundation, responded to the incident after receiving a distress call.

The victim, identified as Mr. Chetchai, 57, was found face down near the edge of a rice field in Bang Saothong subdistrict, Bang Pahan district. A broken blade from a grass-cutting machine was embedded in his left thigh, with significant blood loss at the scene. Nearby, his damaged grass cutter lay with a shattered blade.

According to his grieving niece, Ms. Orawan, 42, the victim had left home around 16:00 on 14 March to trim weeds and rice stalks in preparation for fertilisation. When he failed to return, relatives began searching for him.

After locating his parked motorcycle at the entrance to the field, family members ventured further in and made the devastating discovery. It is believed the blade severed a major artery, and with no one nearby to help, he bled to death at the scene.

Adding to the heartbreak, 15 March was Mr. Chetchai’s birthday. His children, who live in another province, were en route to celebrate with him but arrived instead to find themselves preparing for his funeral.

Police have recorded evidence, including the broken blade and grass cutter, and are treating the incident as a tragic accident.

Recovery of the body was particularly difficult due to the remote location. With no vehicle access, rescuers had to carry the deceased over a kilometre along the narrow field paths.

-- 2025-03-16