Lightning strike kills one, injures another in Chon Buri cassava field
A lightning strike at a cassava plantation in Huai Yai, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province yesterday claimed one life and left another individual seriously injured.
The incident, occurring around 1pm yesterday, September 26, took place near the Huai Yai Municipality Fire Station. Ruangsak Siribut, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Huai Yai Police Station, received the emergency call and arrived at the scene with rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation of Pattaya City. Heavy rain and continuous lightning strikes greeted them upon arrival.
A 16 year old Cambodian national, Son, was discovered writhing in pain beneath a khoi tree, his clothes torn and his body marked by burns. He was promptly taken to Wat Yan Sangwararam Hospital.
Nearby, the body of another Cambodian man, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, was found next to a white Toyota Mighty-X pickup truck, also bearing burn marks and torn clothing.
Phong, a 30 year old Cambodian worker, recounted that six workers were cutting cassava when the sky suddenly darkened and thunder rumbled. In search of shelter, some workers gathered under the tree while others sought refuge in the pickup truck.
Two intense thunderstorms hit, injuring those inside the vehicle and killing the man at the back of the truck.
The employer, 54 year old Sakda Rot-amphan was shocked by the unusual intensity of the lightning. He received an urgent call from the workers and hurried to the scene, witnessing over 10 violent lightning strikes along the way.
“I’ve never seen lightning this severe before. It was terrifying.”
Niran Noensinthong, a prevention officer from the Huai Yai Subdistrict Municipality, led the rescue team into the hazardous area. Despite the initial fear for their safety due to the persistent lightning, they bravely entered to assist the injured.
Locals and officials were taken aback by the extreme weather, noting that such intense lightning had never been observed in the area previously, reported Pattaya News.
