Yacht crew member suffers severe burns in Pattaya engine fire
A distressing incident unfolded on Saturday when a yacht crew member from Laos sustained severe burns while conducting engine repairs near Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya.
On January 4, at 5.36pm, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received an urgent call regarding an individual suffering from burns at the pier.
Rescue teams, accompanied by local reporters, promptly arrived at the scene to find the victim, 36 year old Inthara Keopha, in critical condition and immense pain.
He was swiftly administered first aid and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
A yacht was found docked nearby, unharmed by the incident. Pitthaya Kanaphon, a 62 year old man, commonly referred to as Captain Nu, explained that Inthara was a crew member tasked with the maintenance of the vessel.
According to Captain Nu, Inthara had just finished repairing the yacht’s trim motor when the accident occurred.
“He opened the engine compartment, and as the engine was started, flames erupted unexpectedly.”
With over 50 years of sailing experience, he expressed his shock at witnessing such an unforeseen event and immediately alerted the police, reported The Pattaya News.
Preliminary investigations by the police indicate that fuel vapours or residues in the engine compartment might have ignited upon exposure to sparks during the engine startup.
This could have been caused by potential leaks from hoses or pipes. The victim is currently receiving medical care and is on the path to recovery.
In related news, a gas stove explosion in a Don Mueang residence sent two women to the hospital with burn injuries. This morning, police and fire officials rushed to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Police Colonel Sukrit Mangkalasawat, head of Don Mueang Police Station, ordered a patrol unit to inspect the fire accident reported at a house located in Soi Thoet Ratchan 9, Thoet Ratchan Road, Sikan subdistrict, Don Mueang district.
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