Accident Newlywed Painter Dies on First Day Back at Work

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 43-year-old painter who had just married the day before tragically lost his life on his first day back at work when a crane basket cable snapped at a college construction site in Phatthalung province.

 

The fatal incident occurred around 09:00 on 2 August, at a six-storey college building in Mueang District. Police officers from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, together with medics from Phatthalung Hospital and local rescue volunteers, were dispatched to the scene.

 

On arrival, emergency crews found the crane basket had fallen to the ground. Two workers had been inside the basket, which was being used to paint the upper levels of the building where traditional scaffolding could not reach. The cable supporting the basket had reportedly snapped mid-operation.

 

One of the workers, Mr. Chutidet aged 43, died instantly from the fall. His colleague, Mr. Thawatchai 38, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Phatthalung Hospital for emergency treatment.

 

According to investigators, the college had hired a private contractor to complete construction and painting work on the building. As the painting crew could not access the fifth floor by scaffolding, a crane and suspended basket were used, reportedly for the first time that day. It was during this initial use that the incident occurred.

 

Mr. Kietisak 38, the crane operator, told police that he had instructed the workers to secure their safety harnesses, but suspected they had not done so due to unfamiliarity with the equipment.

 

The deceased man’s wife, Mrs. Natdee 44, was devastated. She revealed through tears that she and her husband had married only the day before, on 1 August and had not even spent 24 hours together as husband and wife before the tragedy struck.

 

“He promised to take care of me for life. Now he’s gone and I don’t know who I’ll rely on anymore,” she said.

 

Authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether safety protocols were properly followed and whether negligence played a role.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-08-03