Australian balcony jumper dies in Phuket hospital

[webfact]

Australian balcony jumper dies in Phuket hospital
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- The Australian who jumped from the third storey of a guesthouse in Patong yesterday afternoon (June 25) has died of his injuries at Vachira Hospital.

Joshua John Smits, aged 24, suffered severe head injuries as well as injuries to his right leg when he jumped from the balcony at a guesthouse on Soi Bowling, off Sai Nam Yen Road in Patong.

Phuket Police told The Phuket News today that Mr Smits died just after midnight (June 25).

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/australian-balcony-jumper-dies-in-phuket-hospital-40406.php


-- Phuket News 2013-06-25

[KED]

Condolences to the family and R.I.P. - I don't know the details of this; however, I have never heard of so many balcony jumps as in Thailand. What is going on ??

Edited June 25, 2013 by KED

[NamKangMan]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

[Psych01]

My heart goes out to the family. As @KED, says why so many in Thailand?

[BrianCR]

Condolences to the family and R.I.P. - I don't know the details of this; however, I have never heard of so many balcony jumps as in Thailand. What is going on ??

Suicide is committed by 1000's of people in all countries throughout the world. Local people have access to and more knowledge of how to, car exhausts etc. Nothing is going on, visitors who wish to do it just follow others in the media reported ways, of which some are turned into mass conspiracies, by people who need to find reasons that do not exist! RIP

[Briggsy]

I would venture alcohol or other drugs played a part in this sorry tale.

[BeforeTigers]

In the original articles it said he "fell" from the 3rd floor. As in accident, not suicide.

Which, honestly, makes more sense.
Who attempts suicide off the 3rd floor?

[eezergood]

Who 'accidentally' jumps from a 3 rd floor window??

Edited June 25, 2013 by eezergood

[chooka]

Condolences to the family and R.I.P. - I don't know the details of this; however, I have never heard of so many balcony jumps as in Thailand. What is going on ??

Suicide is committed by 1000's of people in all countries throughout the world. Local people have access to and more knowledge of how to, car exhausts etc. Nothing is going on, visitors who wish to do it just follow others in the media reported ways, of which some are turned into mass conspiracies, by people who need to find reasons that do not exist! RIP

Yes suicides happen in other countries also we can't dispute that. How many tourists from around the world commit suicide in say Australia as compared to Thailand. How many tourists on a regular basis are committing suicide in England compared to Thailand. I would say that Thailand would have to be the Tourist suicide HUB of the world.

[shaurene]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

[LivinginKata]

Off topic posts removed - no need to discuss the price of drugs.

[stevenl]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is reason to believe he jumped. Do a search for Phuket news and you'll find another news source with the complete story.

[NamKangMan]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is no evidence to suggest he jumped. There is also no evidence to suggest he fell.

I am just going off the news article which clearly states: "Australian balcony JUMPER dies in Phuket Hospital."

That said, you do not believe everything you read.

[andreandre]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is reason to believe he jumped. Do a search for Phuket news and you'll find another news source with the complete story.

Could be, could also not be.

One person says he, the victim, has jumped You believe that, I don't. Sometimes I believe written information, sometimes I don't.

[harrycallahan]

Is "balcony jumper" the PC version of that other oft used term?

[Somtamnication]

Well, the Aussies cannot shoot, but they sure can jump.

RIP to the family.

[chooka]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is no evidence to suggest he jumped. There is also no evidence to suggest he fell.

I am just going off the news article which clearly states: "Australian balcony JUMPER dies in Phuket Hospital."

That said, you do not believe everything you read.

A food shop vendor along Soi Kepsap 2, off Sai Nam Yen Road, contacted Lt Col Jongserm Preecha of the Patong Police when she saw the Australian, Joshua John Smits, standing on the balcony of the building threatening to jump.

“The man was in a manic condition when we arrived,” said Col Jongserm. “We tried to negotiate with him and get the basket crane from Patong Municipality to lower him down, but we didn’t have time.”

Mr Smits jumped, hitting his head on a low cement wall before landing on the ground, said Col Jongserm.

According to the food vendor, Somporn Sangkeaw, the Australian had gained access to the third-floor room of the apartment building because a housekeeper was cleaning it.

[NamKangMan]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is no evidence to suggest he jumped. There is also no evidence to suggest he fell.

I am just going off the news article which clearly states: "Australian balcony JUMPER dies in Phuket Hospital."

That said, you do not believe everything you read.

A food shop vendor along Soi Kepsap 2, off Sai Nam Yen Road, contacted Lt Col Jongserm Preecha of the Patong Police when she saw the Australian, Joshua John Smits, standing on the balcony of the building threatening to jump.

“The man was in a manic condition when we arrived,” said Col Jongserm. “We tried to negotiate with him and get the basket crane from Patong Municipality to lower him down, but we didn’t have time.”

Mr Smits jumped, hitting his head on a low cement wall before landing on the ground, said Col Jongserm.

According to the food vendor, Somporn Sangkeaw, the Australian had gained access to the third-floor room of the apartment building because a housekeeper was cleaning it.

It does sound like a drug induced incident.

[andreandre]

^^^^ ^^^^

Not neccessarily, poor guy could have been suffering from depression..R.I.P what ever the cause.

[oldsailor35]

Well, the Aussies cannot shoot, but they sure can jump.

RIP to the family.

Obviously never heard of an olympian by the name of Diamond !

[NamKangMan]

^^^^ ^^^^

Not neccessarily, poor guy could have been suffering from depression..R.I.P what ever the cause.

It does state he was in a "manic condition."

Depressed people are usually withdrawn.

Yes, very tragic, too young to die. R.I.P.

[GrantSmith]

Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Jacks of all trades the BiB...

Sounds - and that word I use loosely - like something similar that happened to an AFL Player from Port Adelaide last year on an end of season footy trip...

And besides, don't most of the express elevator incidents occur in Pattaya

[NamKangMan]

Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Jacks of all trades the BiB...

Sounds - and that word I use loosely - like something similar that happened to an AFL Player from Port Adelaide last year on an end of season footy trip...

And besides, don't most of the express elevator incidents occur in Pattaya

You don't have to be a doctor to know when someone is having an "episode" or is "going off." I notice on one of the photos he appears handcuffed, so, he was obviously still agressive and out of control.

That's quite different to some who calmly climbs up on the balcony and jumps off.

Maybe more information will come to light as to his frame of mind before he jumped.

[andreandre]

^^^^ ^^^^

Not neccessarily, poor guy could have been suffering from depression..R.I.P what ever the cause.

It does state he was in a "manic condition."

Depressed people are usually withdrawn.

Yes, very tragic, too young to die. R.I.P.

"Depressed people are usually withdrawn."

not always..in fact the old name for bi-polar was manic depression and by the name alone tells you a sufferer can experience extreme highs and extreme lows and in the low stage, sure they can be withdrawn, but in high stage can be well over the top.. over exuberant and experience episodes of a frenzied state known as ''mania''

The only indicator of mania is from a BIB and as Grant Smith posted above,Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

[NamKangMan]

^^^^ ^^^^

Not neccessarily, poor guy could have been suffering from depression..R.I.P what ever the cause.

It does state he was in a "manic condition."

Depressed people are usually withdrawn.

Yes, very tragic, too young to die. R.I.P.

"Depressed people are usually withdrawn."

not always..in fact the old name for bi-polar was manic depression and by the name alone tells you a sufferer can experience extreme highs and extreme lows and in the low stage, sure they can be withdrawn, but in high stage can be well over the top.. over exuberant and experience episodes of a frenzied state known as ''mania''

The only indicator of mania is from a BIB and as Grant Smith posted above,Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Like I said, it appears in one photo, whilst he is still alive, he is handcuffed, and that's after the fall, when he was severely injured. I think that gives a good indication as to his behaviour before he jumped.

I accept what you say, but I wouldn't mind seeing the toxicology report.

[iSabai]

Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Jacks of all trades the BiB...

Sounds - and that word I use loosely - like something similar that happened to an AFL Player from Port Adelaide last year on an end of season footy trip...

And besides, don't most of the express elevator incidents occur in Pattaya

All the expert psychiatrists, criminologists, and forensic pathologists and scientists (and general CSI wannabe's), are too busy posting here to be bothered actually working in those fields.

[chooka]

Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Jacks of all trades the BiB...

Sounds - and that word I use loosely - like something similar that happened to an AFL Player from Port Adelaide last year on an end of season footy trip...

And besides, don't most of the express elevator incidents occur in Pattaya

All the expert psychiatrists, criminologists, and forensic pathologists and scientists (and general CSI wannabe's), are too busy posting here to be bothered actually working in those fields.

You do not see female police officers in Thailand patrolling the streets. They are normally desk bound and used in specialist areas. I would "assume" this officer given that she was called to the incident was very fluent in English and has extensive training in dealing with people who threaten self harm or are suicidal. She quite possibly does have a psych degree if she works in a crisis assessment team.

Police at all levels are trained in dealing with people suffering a mental illness and receive constant ongoing training throughout their careers. Specialist units are even established which consist of trained negotiators and psych personnel. With the number of foreign jumpers in these places I would assume that the BIB also have such departments.

[andreandre]

^^^^ ^^^^

Not neccessarily, poor guy could have been suffering from depression..R.I.P what ever the cause.

It does state he was in a "manic condition."

Depressed people are usually withdrawn.

Yes, very tragic, too young to die. R.I.P.

"Depressed people are usually withdrawn."

not always..in fact the old name for bi-polar was manic depression and by the name alone tells you a sufferer can experience extreme highs and extreme lows and in the low stage, sure they can be withdrawn, but in high stage can be well over the top.. over exuberant and experience episodes of a frenzied state known as ''mania''

The only indicator of mania is from a BIB and as Grant Smith posted above,Didn't realise the good Colonel or is that Lt Colonel or is it Dr Lt. Col or Dr. Colonel is also the resident psychiatrist...

Like I said, it appears in one photo, whilst he is still alive, he is handcuffed, and that's after the fall, when he was severely injured. I think that gives a good indication as to his behaviour before he jumped.

I accept what you say, but I wouldn't mind seeing the toxicology report.

I haven't seen the handcuffed photo, but for sure that could put the incident in a different light

[NamKangMan]

@ andreandre

Check the photos on the PG website.

[stevenl]

At the young age of 24 - what could be so bad for one to see no other option than to take their own life. RIP.

I believe there is no evidence to suggest he jumped and at 24 hard to believe he would, sounds more like he was pissed and playing around bad accident. So young, God bless him.

So sorry for the family.

There is reason to believe he jumped. Do a search for Phuket news and you'll find another news source with the complete story.

Could be, could also not be.

One person says he, the victim, has jumped You believe that, I don't. Sometimes I believe written information, sometimes I don't.

Considering the information provided, it is very clear he jumped.