Woman dies after falling into four metre-deep water pit at Thai police station while trying to bail son
A 58-year-old woman died after falling into a more than 4m-deep water pit at a police station in Ratchaburi, Thailand, where she had gone after her son was arrested for drink-driving.
The incident has prompted an investigation after her son alleged that the area was poorly lit and had no barrier around the pit.
Ratchaburi’s provincial police chief has since acknowledged that lighting near the site may have been inadequate.
Woman disappears after asking where son was held
The incident occurred late on Sunday (11 Oct) at Ban Kha Police Station.
The woman, identified as 58-year-old Ms Patchana (name transliterated from Thai), had gone there after learning that her son had been detained at a police checkpoint for drink-driving.
Source: ห้องข่าวราชบุรี on Facebook
According to police, she asked an officer at the front of the station where her son was being held.
She was then directed towards the crime prevention and suppression office beside the main station building.
After walking in that direction, she disappeared.
Relatives find her shoes floating in water
When relatives arrived later and could not find Ms Patchana, they began searching the police station grounds.
They eventually spotted her shoes floating in a water pit next to the crime prevention and suppression office.
Source: ห้องข่าวราชบุรี on Facebook
Rescue workers were called in to pump water out of the pit, which was more than 4m deep, before recovering her body.
She was later sent for a forensic examination to determine the cause of death.
Son alleges police did not help search for mother
Ms Patchana’s son later took to social media to call for justice.
He alleged that there were eight police officers at the scene, but none assisted in searching for his mother. He also claimed that the villagers were the only ones who helped.
Source: ห้องข่าวราชบุรี on Facebook
The son also said that the police had denied responsibility for her drowning and shown no accountability after the tragedy, but had offered financial assistance for the funeral.
The pit had no barrier, and the surrounding area was dark, the son said. The police have not publicly confirmed all of his allegations.
Provincial police chief acknowledges poor lighting
Following the family’s complaint, Ratchaburi provincial police commander Maj Gen Pallop Suriyakul Na Ayutthaya (name transliterated from Thai) ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Patchana’s death.
Police were instructed to review CCTV footage around the station and inspect the lighting near the pit.
Maj Gen Pallop acknowledged that lighting in the area appeared to be insufficient.
Authorities also planned to inspect the site on Wednesday (14 Oct), and meet Ms Patchana’s family as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the son noted that the incident served as a major lesson for him, and he promised to stop drinking alcohol for the rest of his life.
Also read: Father drowns while trying to save son who was swept away by strong current in Vietnam
Father drowns while trying to save son who was swept away by strong current in Vietnam
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Featured image adapted from ห้องข่าวราชบุรี on Facebook.
