Construction Supervisor Falls to His Death in 7-Metre Underground Cable Duct Pit

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A construction supervisor lost his life after stumbling and falling into a 7-metre-deep underground cable duct pit in Bangkok’s Chom Thong district.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 00:30 on 29 March, in front of Soi Suksawat 6, Bang Pakok. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phraiwith Pruethong, an investigative officer from Bang Kholaem Police Station, was alerted and rushed to the scene alongside experts from Siriraj Hospital and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation.

 

 

Upon arrival, authorities found a large underground cable duct pit, where the victim’s body was discovered. The deceased, identified as 53-year-old Somyot Rianwetch, was the site supervisor. His body was covered in mud, and he was dressed in a black short-sleeved T-shirt and black trousers, without shoes. A significant wound was visible on his head, his forehead was swollen, and blood was flowing from his nose and mouth. His left arm bore bruises consistent with heavy impact injuries. Rescue personnel retrieved his body from the pit.

 

According to a 40-year-old construction worker, identified only as Ms. Cartoon, she was cleaning a barrier tank at the time of the incident while the deceased was overseeing the work and guiding crane operations. Witnesses reported that he had taken just a few steps before tripping and falling into the pit.

 

Investigators at the scene interviewed multiple workers, who confirmed that Somyot was standing near the edge of the pit when he suddenly stumbled, possibly tripping over an object, before plunging in. His head struck the rim of the pit before his body hit the bottom with force, resulting in fatal injuries.

 

Authorities will await the results of a forensic examination and review CCTV footage from the surrounding area to confirm the exact cause of the incident.

 

-- 2025-03-30

 

 

[Watawattana]

 

These are a couple of similar examples from Hong Kong, China.  Both picked up during routine inspections, nobody hurt.  The contractors responsible are under investigation and, although nobody got injured or died, they are likely to lose some money as a result (penalties are in the contracts).  If there had been injuries a suspension from bidding for future work would have been possible with a court case and a hefty fine.  If there had been deaths people would have gone to jail, as well as the company being banned for a very long time from working on any Hong Kong contracts.  

 

The site where these issues got seen has a very good safety record as the employer enforces each and every safety rule through rigorous inspections.  The site is around 650 hectares, and there have been relatively few injuries throughout the 9-ish years, and 0 deaths.