Accident Man Crushed to Death by Hydraulic Arm in Samut Prakan

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A 41-year-old golf course employee, originally from Buriram, lost his life after being crushed by a hydraulic control arm while operating a small excavator at a golf course in Bang Phli district.

 

The fatal incident, which occurred around 09:30 on 2 May, was captured on CCTV from a nearby staff residence. Footage shows Mr Panomyong Sinsuphon, a golf course worker, seated at the rear hydraulic control station of a small tractor fitted with a bucket attachment and used for digging irrigation trenches. While operating the machinery, the control station and hydraulic arm suddenly lifted and twisted, compressing his body against the steel frame of the cabin roof. He was pinned at the neck and chest and became unresponsive.

 

At the time of the incident, Mr Panomyong was alone. A colleague, Mr Teerawat, 35, who had briefly left to collect equipment, returned to find him trapped and immediately sought help from nearby staff. A second excavator was used in an attempt to pry the arm away and release Mr Panomyong’s body. Despite efforts to resuscitate him while emergency services were called, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation responded quickly, followed by officers from Bang Phli Police Station and a forensic team from Chakri Naruebodindra Institute of Medicine. An initial examination revealed the cause of death to be severe chest trauma due to crushing force.

 

Mr Teerawat explained that the team had been laying water pipelines using the machinery. He believed the victim may have attempted to move the vehicle forward using the hydraulic bucket, instead of repositioning himself in the driver’s seat, leading to the fatal malfunction.

 

Mr Sutat, 53, the site supervisor, later clarified that the machine had undergone routine maintenance and showed no signs of mechanical failure. He suggested that Mr Panomyong’s improvised method of operation, using the hydraulic bucket to push the machine forward while seated behind the control panel, likely led to the incident.

 

The company has notified both social security and the internal insurance provider. Additional financial support will be offered to Mr Panomyong’s family.

 

The deceased’s body has been transferred to the forensic unit at Chakri Naruebodindra Institute for post-mortem examination. Relatives have been contacted to arrange religious rites and funeral proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now 2025-05-03.