Two boys drown in Isaan reservoir searching for lost motorcycle key

Tragedy struck at a reservoir when two boys drowned while searching for a lost motorcycle key. Despite a four-hour rescue effort, divers were unable to find their bodies. The search was called off yesterday, August 19.

Police Lieutenant Methasit Wongpadsa of Khemarat Police Station in Ubon Ratchathani was alerted to the incident involving two missing boys at Huai Na Muang Reservoir in Na Waeng subdistrict, Khemarat district. Rescue teams from the Ubon Ratchathani-Jeetamko Foundation and the Thewa Khemarat Rescue Association were immediately coordinated to search for the boys.

The two victims, aged 14 and 15 respectively, had come to the reservoir with the 15 year old boy’s older brother and four other friends from their village. Riding three motorcycles, the group of six arrived to play in the water and wash their motorcycles at the reservoir.

While playing in the water, the 14 year old boy’s trouser pocket tore, causing his motorcycle key to fall into the water. He then asked the older boy, who was nearby, to help search for the key.

Tragically, they were swept into a strong current and disappeared underwater. The rescue team spent over four hours searching underwater but ultimately had to halt the operation due to the thick cover of water hyacinths.

The 15 year old’s 17 year old brother, Awaji (surname withheld), recounted that they had arrived at the reservoir around 4pm the previous day to wash their motorcycles and swim. While he was washing his motorcycle, his younger brother and the 14 year old boy went into the water to play.

Later, the 14 year old told him that his key had fallen into the water because his pocket had torn. Awaji advised against searching for the key due to the strong current but the boys did not heed his warning.

They went into the water to search for the key and were swept away by the powerful current, eventually drowning, reported KhaoSod.