Aussie lad gets head stuck on Phuket International Airport escalator

PHUKET: A 12-year-old Australian boy is safe after getting his head caught between an escalator handrail and a wall at Phuket International Airport yesterday evening.

The boy, who the airport director declined to name, was travelling back to Melbourne after flying in to Phuket with nine of his family members to visit Khao Lak.

“After checking in at Terminal 2, the boy went up the escalator toward Terminal 1. He laid his head on the handrail,” Airport Deputy Director Thanee Chuangchoo said. “Near the top of the escalator there is a space between the handrail and wall that narrows, which he ended up getting his head jammed into.”

Airport employees immediately stopped the escalator to help free the boy. He had minor injuries to his face and was taken to Thalang Hospital to check for any further head trauma.

“Our staff always do their best to take care of passengers’ safety,” Mr Thanee said. “However, parents should keep a close eye on their children and not leave them unattended, so as to avoid such accidents.”

After treatment for minor injuries, the boy and his family flew back to Melbourne at about 10pm.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong