River Rescue Turns Fatal in Uttaradit
A dramatic rescue attempt on the Nan River has ended in tragedy. A man trying to secure a runaway fish raft is electrocuted and swept away, leaving villagers in shock.
The incident unfolds early Wednesday in Ban Dong, Uttaradit province. A fish raft, torn loose upstream in Tambon Tha Mafueang, barrels towards a bridge. On board, a man battles to tie the raft to safety with a rope.
But disaster strikes in seconds. As the raft drifts under the bridge, the man grabs a dangling high-voltage cable. A massive jolt of electricity surges through him. Sparks fly. He collapses and plunges into the raging river, vanishing instantly.
Eyewitness Captures the Shocking Scene
Jakapan Chanthrathippayarak, head of the Tambon Taluk Krathiam administration, is on alert. Officials warn him about the runaway raft heading for his community. He rushes to the bridge, phone in hand, and records the unfolding tragedy.
“The raft was moving very fast,” Jakapan recalls. “As soon as it passed under the bridge, the man tried to tie it up. Suddenly, he was shocked by the cable. His body fell into the river and disappeared.” Rescue teams later recover the fish raft, but the man is still missing.
Search Teams Battle River’s Fury
Since the accident, rescue crews scour the banks of the Nan River. The search is grueling. Strong currents and murky water make the hunt for the body nearly impossible. Authorities fear the victim may have been swept several kilometers downstream.
Locals say runaway rafts are a constant danger after heavy rain. And those low-hanging power cables? “We’ve complained for ages,” one resident says. This time, the hazard proves deadly.
Calls for Action After Deadly Accident
The tragedy exposes deep infrastructure problems in rural Thailand. Accidents with power lines spike during the rainy season, when cables are damaged or come loose.
Officials launch an investigation to find out who is responsible. At the same time, they urge everyone to stay clear of power lines and poles during floods. One moment’s mistake, they warn, can cost a life.
