Bangkok: More than 130 hours after the accident, the rescue team has successfully recovered the body of Mr. Sarawut, also known as Mr. Dao, a 33-year-old worker from Sisaket, who tragically fell into a 19-meter deep pile hole during the construction of the Orange Line electric train. This incident occurred between Soi Lan Luang 6 and 8 in the Maha Nak Subdistrict of Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, Bangkok, on the afternoon of May 19.
According to Thai News Agency, officials had earlier estimated the location of Mr. Sarawut's body at a depth of 11.5 meters. By May 24 at 19:00, the USAR rescue team and the Ruamkatanyu Foundation continued their efforts to recover the body. Key figures such as Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, and Mr. Phet Phumma, Director of Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, were present to observe the operation alongside police officials from Nang Loeng Police Station.
The rescue operation involved significant challenges. At 19:12, rescue workers inserted air tubes to facilitate air circulation within the hole. The task force reached the bottom of the pit by 19:15, followed by preparations to pull up the sling rope at 19:32. A water truck from Phu Khao Thong Fire Station was placed on standby to clean the rescue workers at 19:34.
As the operation progressed, additional support was requested from the 4th task force. By 20:00, preparations were made to carefully dig the soil to half the upper body of the deceased. The dense soil conditions necessitated the use of a spreader to safely retrieve the body. By 22:30, a safety harness was employed to ensure that the body was securely hooked to prevent any complications during the extraction.
Finally, at midnight, rescue workers managed to pull the body from the mud, and at 24:08, Mr. Sarawut's body was successfully brought to the surface. The area was subsequently covered with canvas, and media access was restricted to maintain the integrity of the scene. Forensic experts from Wichian Hospital and officers from the forensic evidence unit were called to inspect the site before transferring the body for an autopsy at the Police General Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine.
This extensive rescue mission, spanning over six days, underscores the dedication of the teams involved in successfully recovering Mr. Sarawut's body under challenging conditions.