Father struck by lightning after retrieving metal hoe while working in sugarcane field
A 45-year-old father in Thailand was tragically killed by lightning while working in a sugarcane field to earn money for his daughter’s school uniform.
According to Khaosod, the incident took place at around 2pm on 7 May in Don Mon Subdistrict, Buriram province.
Father found unconscious beside metal hoe in sugarcane field
According to local police, emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Mr Sunthorn (name transliterated from Thai) lying unconscious under a wild almond tree near the edge of a sugarcane plantation.
He reportedly suffered severe burns and head injuries, while a metal hoe was found beside him.
Source: Khaosod
CPR was performed at the scene before he was rushed to Satuek Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead, Khaosod reported.
Took up farm work to earn money for daughter’s school needs
Mr Sunthorn’s 67-year-old co-worker, Mr Sai (name transliterated from Thai), said the plantation owner had hired workers to clear weeds for a daily wage of THB300 (S$12).
According to him, he invited Mr Sunthorn to join because the father was urgently trying to earn money for his nine-year-old daughter’s school expenses.
The money was meant to buy her new school uniform, shoes, and other necessities as she prepared to enter Primary 4.
Lightning struck as he retrieved metal tool
Mr Sai said the incident happened shortly after lunch when dark storm clouds gathered over the area.
As lightning activity intensified, Mr Sunthorn reportedly walked towards a wild almond tree to retrieve his hoe.
Source: Khaosod
His co-workers shouted at him to stay away from the area due to the lightning risk.
However, moments later, lightning struck just as he picked up the metal tool.
Authorities believe the hoe may have acted as a conductor during the strike.
Villagers describe victim as hardworking father
A 60-year-old villager said Mr Sunthorn had lived in the community for around eight years and was known as a hardworking man who accepted any manual labour jobs to support his family.
Following the tragedy, Ban Dan District Chief Mr Seksan Chanwongsa and Mrs Ratchaneewan Chanwongsa (names transliterated from Thai), Chairperson of the Ban Dan District Housewives Association, visited the victim’s family.
Source: Amarin TV
They offered support to Mr Sunthorn’s wife, Ms Mon Wutiya, 48, and their daughter, Geryn Waranya Kaennintorn (names transliterated from Thai).
The district chief also personally donated THB 5,000 (about S$200) to the family after learning that Mr Sunthorn had died while trying to earn money for his daughter’s school uniform.
He added that local authorities would coordinate support and assistance for the grieving family.
Also read: 30-year-old fishery worker dies after being struck by lightning at fish farm off Lim Chu Kang coast
30-year-old fishery worker dies after being struck by lightning at fish farm off Lim Chu Kang coast
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Featured image adapted from Khaosod and Amarin TV.
