CHIANG RAI – A tragic construction accident in northern Thailand resulted in the death of an elderly laborer on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, where a massive new medical facility is currently being built.
Local authorities and emergency rescue teams rushed to the location immediately after receiving the emergency call.
The victim was a 63-year-old male construction worker originally from the Mueang district of Nakhon Nayok province. According to site witnesses, the man was working high up on a metal scaffolding structure when he suddenly lost his footing.
He plummeted several stories before landing heavily on a lower section of the scaffolding between the fourth and fifth floors.
Key Takeaways
- Fatal Accident: A 63-year-old construction worker from Nakhon Nayok died after a severe fall at a hospital construction site in Chiang Rai.
- Massive Medical Project: The incident occurred at the site of a new 14-story International Center for Excellence in Heart and Vascular Care.
- Official Investigation: High-ranking provincial officials, including the Governor of Chiang Rai, have ordered a full safety investigation.
Emergency responders from the Siam Chiang Rai Foundation arrived at the scene within minutes of the accident. Rescue workers had to carefully climb the exterior steel scaffolding to reach the unconscious and severely injured worker. They quickly secured the man and lowered him to the ground before rushing him directly into the hospital.
Medical personnel admitted the patient immediately to the intensive care unit as doctors fought to stabilize his condition. According to Dr. Somsak Akkafaiboon, Director of Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, the worker had sustained massive internal impact trauma. Despite the best efforts of the emergency medical team, the elderly man succumbed to his severe injuries shortly after arrival.
High-Level Government Officials Inspect the Site
The high-profile nature of the construction project brought immediate attention from regional and national government representatives. Chiang Rai Governor Chuphong Phongchai personally inspected the accident scene along with top health administrators. They met with construction managers to evaluate the structural integrity of the scaffolding equipment used by the workers.
Mrs. Jittrat Meethongthanakorn, Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Minister of Public Health, also joined the site inspection. She directed hospital management and provincial authorities to contact the victim’s family in central Thailand. Officials are working closely with relatives to coordinate the transportation of the body back to his hometown for funeral rites.
The tragic accident took place at the construction zone of the International Center for Excellence in Heart and Vascular Care. This new 14-story tower is designed to become a prominent medical hub for specialized cardiovascular treatments in northern Thailand. The building is designed to match the height of the neighboring emergency medical building, known locally as the Wild Boar building.
Full Investigation Into Safety Measures Ordered
The expansion project represents a massive government investment with a total construction budget of over 766 million baht. Construction work on the massive medical facility began back in September 2023 to meet rising regional healthcare demands. The project was nearing its final stages, with the official completion date originally scheduled for September 11, 2026.
The local police department of Mueang Chiang Rai has officially opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fall. Forensic teams and structural engineers will examine whether all mandatory safety protocols were actively followed during the afternoon shift. Investigators are specifically checking if the victim was wearing a safety harness while working on the high-altitude scaffolding.
According to a report by MGR Online, the worker’s colleagues were deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of their co-worker. Government officials have promised that the construction company will provide full financial compensation and legal benefits to the family. Work at the site has been temporarily adjusted as safety inspectors review procedures to prevent future workplace accidents.
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