Picture courtesy of SiamRath.

 

In a display of calm thinking and creativity, a rescue team used an ordinary spoon to free a six-year-old boy whose hand had become stuck in a pool pipe in Racha Thewa sub-district, Bang Phli district.

 

The incident occurred on 11 July at a housing estate swimming pool when the boy’s hand became lodged in a suction pipe approximately 5 inches in diameter. His hand was firmly wedged and initial attempts to remove it were unsuccessful.

 

The Ruamkatanyu Foundation dispatched a specialist rescue team and a medical support vehicle to the scene. After assessing the situation, rescuers determined that the pipe’s dimensions were a near-perfect fit for the child’s hand, making extraction particularly tricky.

 

Enter one of the foundation’s experienced rescue operatives, who came up with an unlikely but effective solution. Using a common household spoon, the rescuer carefully slid it between the boy’s wrist and the inner wall of the pipe to create a gap. This clever manoeuvre allowed the boy’s hand to be gently and safely freed, without damaging the pool’s system or causing injury to the child.

 

Thanks to the team’s skill and calm under pressure, the child was successfully rescued with no need for invasive methods such as cutting the pipe. He was left shaken but unharmed.

 

The foundation has since issued a warning to parents and guardians, urging them to be aware of the potential dangers of swimming pools, especially involving suction pipes or drains. They strongly advised against attempting to pull a child’s limb out in such situations without proper training, as this could cause injury.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamRath 2025-07-13

 

 

 

Safety first?  

 

"...  a suction pipe approximately 5 inches in diameter".  Who would design and build such as system, knowing children would use the pool?

 

In Australia, such a pool would not pass safety inspection.

 

But, TIT.

9 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Safety first?  

 

"...  a suction pipe approximately 5 inches in diameter".  Who would design and build such as system, knowing children would use the pool?

 

In Australia, such a pool would not pass safety inspection.

 

But, TIT.

Safety inspection?

I really doubt there is such a thing over here.

 

Did they use the spoon to empty the pool? Are they finished yet?

Thanks to the team’s skill and calm under pressure, the child was successfully rescued with no need for invasive methods such as cutting the pipe. 

 

I would think loping off the arm would be considered a bit more invasive

A  mesh grille over the pipe would have prevented this

#JustSaying