LAMPANG – A tragic incident has left a local community heartbroken after a 15-year-old boy drowned in the Soi canal. He was trying to fetch a floating basketball when the deep, fast-moving water pulled him under. This sad event serves as an urgent warning for parents to keep children away from swollen rivers during the rainy season.
Key Takeaways
- A 15-year-old boy drowned in the Soi Canal in Chae Hom district while attempting to retrieve a basketball.
- A tragic video captured the boy struggling in deep water before sinking in front of his helpless friend.
- Rescue divers found the body later that evening, prompting officials to issue strict water safety warnings for parents.
The fatal incident unfolded yesterday evening in the quiet Chae Hom district of northern Thailand. A video clip shared widely on social media reveals the final, desperate moments of the young boy. In the footage, the victim in a white shirt walks ahead while his friend in a red shirt follows closely behind.
They soon reached a spot with concrete stairs leading directly down to the edge of the river. The 15-year-old boy noticed a basketball floating in the water and decided to go after it. Initially, he stayed near the shallow edge, but he waded deeper into the waterway when the ball drifted further out.
Desperate Pleas for Help
As he moved further from the riverbank, the water quickly became much deeper than he had expected. The boy struggled to stay afloat and completely failed to fight the strong, unpredictable river currents. It appeared he did not know how to swim, and he began to thrash around while raising his hands for help.
His friend in the red shirt stood on the riverbank and watched the terrible scene unfold in horror. He wanted to jump in, but the dark water was simply too deep and dangerous for him to attempt a rescue. After the boy slipped beneath the surface, his friend quickly hopped on a bicycle to alert local adults, as reported by Channel 7 News.
Shortly after the boy vanished, local authorities received a frantic call for help from the panicked villagers. Police from the Chae Hom Police Station quickly rushed to the Soi River in Ban Luang subdistrict. Ekkasak Boonpa, the Chae Hom District Chief, arrived at the scene to personally lead the urgent rescue operation.
He was joined by local rescue associations, including the Lampang Rescue Association and a team of specialized scuba divers. A large crowd of worried locals gathered along the riverbank to watch the search efforts unfold in the dark. Around 8:30 PM, the dive team finally recovered the boy’s body, bringing immense sadness to his family and the community.
A Crucial Warning for Parents
This devastating loss serves as a harsh reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in our local waterways. Currently, Thailand is in the middle of its rainy season, which causes rivers to rise rapidly and create strong underwater currents.
Water that looks calm on the surface can easily turn deadly just a few feet away from the safety of the shore.
Local government officials are begging parents and guardians to keep a very close eye on their young children. They advise families to warn kids about the real dangers of playing near rivers, deep lakes, and flooded streams.
A simple mistake, like trying to save a lost toy, can tragically cost a life in just a matter of seconds.
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