Chon Buri woman narrowly escapes GPS misdirection into ditch

A young woman narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation after her GPS directed her into a water-filled ditch while she was trying to visit a friend’s home. The incident occurred yesterday, November 21, at approximately 7pm in Ban Choet, Phanat Nikhom District, Chon Buri province.

Rescue volunteers from Sawang Het Thung Hiang were called to help extract a motorcycle from a roadside ditch, which was overgrown with grass, making it difficult to discern the road from the waterlogged area.

The ditch, measuring 6 metres in width and 10 metres in length, was located about 3 metres below ground level. The victim, identified as 25 year old Jariya, managed to scramble out of the ditch with minor scratches on her body.

Rescue personnel promptly arrived at the scene, equipped with lighting gear and ropes, to retrieve the submerged motorcycle. The water level in the ditch was approximately 1.5 metres deep. After locating the motorcycle underwater, they tied ropes to its handlebars and wheels, successfully pulling it out within 20 minutes.

Jariya recounted the ordeal, explaining that she had set out to visit a friend, using her mobile phone’s GPS for navigation. As she neared the location, the road was poorly illuminated and overgrown with grass. Following the GPS instructions, she continued on the path indicated by the arrow, which led her directly into the ditch. She abandoned the motorcycle and clambered out to seek assistance.

Chawanakorn Khunwut, a rescue volunteer who assisted in the operation, noted that the area was dark and overgrown, which likely confused the rider unfamiliar with the route.

The GPS appeared to show a shortcut leading to the back of her friend’s house, resulting in her inadvertently falling into the agricultural water storage ditch. Fortunately, she only sustained minor injuries, reported KhaoSod.

Residents and travellers alike are reminded to exercise caution and not to rely completely on digital navigation aids, particularly in unfamiliar territories or areas known for poor visibility and maintenance.