Seconds from death - Thai man tells how he saved himself in Chumporn boat sinking that killed five

 

Image: Sanook

 

A 47 year old Thai diver from Bangkok told of his escape from a boat that sank off the coast of Chumporn this week killing five friends.

He said only his experience and quick thinking saved him - if he had been a few seconds slower to decide what to do he would be dead too.

Yesterday Chumporn police went to present flowers to Natthathat, 47, from Thanyaburi north of Bangkok who is recovering in Pak Nam Chumporn Hospital.

He said that himself and a group of friends came to Chumporn to do a five day diving course on Monday. The testing day at the end of the course was meant to be yesterday.

"It all happened so quickly," he said, "and it took everybody by complete surprise. I was trapped inside the boat along with the five people who died.

"The water rushed in very fast and I was pinned to the ceiling of the boat. I used my experience to determine quickly that my escape route would be the same place as where the water had gushed in.

"I swam for that place and made it out just in time and was rescued by a passing boat. Another couple of seconds indecision and I would not have made it out".

He thanked everyone for their help in getting him to shore and said that he was just being kept in for observations and he was OK now.

He plans to go back to Pathum Thani on Monday.

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-29

What caused the boat to sink?

 

EDIT: 

 

Edited July 28, 20179 yr by jaywalker

33 minutes ago, jaywalker said:

What caused the boat to sink?

 

EDIT: 

 

brake failure

Another case of the Gulf of Thailand Triangle I guess...

Rip to those who died.