Ko Samui waterfall rescue: Italian’s ordeal ends with a splash

Thai rescuers spent over three hours rescuing an Italian man who suffered injuries to his hips and legs in an accident at Na Mueang Waterfall 2 in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani.

Koh Samui Tourist Police were alerted to an accident at Na Mueang Waterfall 2 yesterday, June 13. An Italian man, later identified as 30 year old Giacomo Bocchini, reportedly slipped while walking on the rocks at the waterfall and fell into the water, injuring his hips and legs.

Officers from the Samui District Administrative Office, rescuers, and medical workers hiked to the third tier of the waterfall where the incident occurred. They spent over three hours successfully transferring the Italian man to Koh Samui Hospital.

Bocchini was initially unable to walk and had to be carried on a stretcher down the waterfall. His current condition has not been made public.

Multiple accidents have been reported at waterfalls on the island, some of them fatal. In February, a British woman, Hema Mantra, fell from Hin Lad Waterfall and injured her right leg. Another British national slipped and fell from a cliff at an unidentified waterfall in Koh Samui in December 2022.

Two fatal incidents have also occurred at waterfalls on the island. In May 2022, a Romanian woman, Nane-losana Bodea, fell from Na Mueang Waterfall and died from a fatal head injury.

Another fatal incident occurred in December 2023 when a French tourist, Ryan Meghan, lost his life due to the slippery rocks at Na Mueang 2 Waterfall. His body was found under a rock in the third tier of the waterfall after many hours of searching due to difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.

Authorities have installed multiple warning signs at dangerous spots at the waterfalls, especially at both Na Mueang Waterfalls. While more accidents continue to be reported, fortunately, not many have been fatal.