High-Speed Rail Worker Impaled by Snapped Cable in Korat

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A 33-year-old construction worker sustained life-threatening injuries after being impaled by a large steel cable that snapped while lifting a rail bridge segment in the Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. The cable pierced through his abdomen and exited his back, prompting an urgent and complex rescue operation.

The incident occurred around 08:30 on 26 July, during construction on the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project. The victim, identified as Mr. Sakchai, a native of Udon Thani province, was employed by a subcontractor working on bridge installation. During the lifting process, a heavy-duty sling cable unexpectedly broke, striking him with force and passing entirely through his body.

Emergency responders from Hook 31 Rescue Foundation in Nakhon Ratchasima were urgently contacted by doctors at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. They were asked to deliver and operate a plasma cutter, used for precision metal cutting, to assist in the emergency treatment. The patient had initially been transferred from Pak Chong Nana Hospital due to the severity of his condition.

Upon arrival at Maharat Hospital, rescue workers used the plasma cutter to carefully remove the steel cable segment protruding from the patient’s back. The operation, which lasted approximately ten minutes, was carried out with extreme caution to minimise further trauma and allow the patient to lie on his back for emergency surgery.

Mr. Sakchai was then immediately transferred to the operating theatre. Following the successful surgery, he was moved to the intensive care unit at the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building, 8th floor, where he is being monitored for recovery. As of the latest update, his condition is now considered stable.

Authorities are expected to investigate the safety procedures at the construction site, particularly the condition of the lifting equipment involved in the incident.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-27