Double tragedy strikes flooded Bang Phli as a crane lifting a submerged car hits an overhead power line. The operator, 31, is electrocuted and falls into deep water before the homeowner, 40, races to help and is killed by a second electric shock.
A flooded car rescue turned into a deadly electrocution nightmare in Samut Prakan early Sunday, killing two men within moments. Crane operator Sittiphop Meesamrit, 31, was electrocuted when his boom struck an overhead power line in 1.20-metre floodwaters. Homeowner Thanakrit Chimphalee, 40, then rushed to save him, only to suffer a second fatal electric shock. Neighbours dragged Mr Thanakrit from the water, while rescuers performed CPR on Mr Sittiphop before he died in hospital. The double tragedy followed days of pounding rain that swamped Java Bay Village in Bang Phli and submerged a family car.
A flooded car recovery turned deadly in Samut Prakan early Sunday when a crane struck an overhead electrical wire. The crane operator was electrocuted and plunged into floodwater more than 1.20 metres deep. Seconds later, the homeowner rushed forward to help him and was also electrocuted. Both men died as the recovery operation outside the Bang Phli home became a double fatality.
The tragedy struck inside Java Bay Village on King Kaeo 19 Road in Bang Phli Yai. Heavy rain had pounded the area for several days, sending water surging through the residential development. By early Sunday, flooding around the house exceeded 1.20 metres. The homeowner’s car was already submerged outside the property.
Police received the emergency report at 1.20 am on September 27. Initially, the call reported one death and two injuries following an electric shock. The incident occurred outside house number 55/10, Moo 15, Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict. The neighbourhood lies within Bang Phli District in Samut Prakan Province.
Emergency teams battle deep floodwater before finding homeowner dead and crane operator critically hurt
In response, Pol Lt Sarun Masang, deputy investigator at Bang Kaeo Police Station, headed to the village. A doctor from Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodin Hospital joined the emergency response. Ruam Katanyu Foundation rescue workers also raced to the scene.
However, the deep flooding immediately complicated their approach. Water across the village had risen beyond 1.20 metres, blocking access for ordinary vehicles. Therefore, emergency teams used a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle to push through the flooded streets.
At the house, responders found homeowner Thanakrit Chimphalee, 40, lying outside his property. Neighbours had already pulled him from the water after the electric shock. However, Mr Thanakrit was dead when emergency personnel reached him.
Nearby, rescuers found crane operator Sittiphop Meesamrit, 31, critically injured after another electric shock. Notably, he was still alive when rescuers reached him. They immediately began CPR before rushing him to Chulalongkorn 9 Hospital. Despite those efforts, Mr Sittiphop later died.
The second death confirmed the full toll from the attempted car recovery. Two men had entered the operation alive. Both were dead after the crane contacted the electrical wire.
Crane begins lifting submerged car before boom hits electrical wire and two men are electrocuted
Mr Sittiphop lived at 30/7 Moo 5 in Bang Chak Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District. He had driven a white Hino six-wheel crane truck to the flooded property. The truck carried Bangkok registration number 72-0531.
Earlier, days of heavy rainfall had steadily flooded Java Bay Village. Eventually, water outside Mr Thanakrit’s home rose high enough to submerge his car. He then hired the crane operator to recover it and move it onto higher ground.
The operation began directly outside the house in deep floodwater. Mr Sittiphop positioned the six-wheel crane and started lifting the submerged vehicle. Then came the fatal contact.
According to Nattaporn Chimphalee, 42, the crane’s tip accidentally touched an electrical wire outside the house. Mrs Nattaporn was Mr Thanakrit’s wife and later described the sequence to investigators. The electrical contact caused a short circuit while the crane was lifting the car.
Immediately, Mr Sittiphop suffered an electric shock. He then fell from his position into the surrounding floodwater.
Mr Thanakrit was standing nearby and saw the crane operator collapse. Instinctively, he moved towards the stricken man and attempted to help him. Instead, the homeowner was also electrocuted before falling into the water.
Neighbours pull homeowner from floodwater as rescuers fight to save crane operator after electric shock
Within moments, both men were down in floodwater outside the property. Mrs Nattaporn then contacted the electricity company and requested an immediate power cut.
By then, however, the emergency had already claimed her husband. Neighbours managed to pull Mr Thanakrit from the water but could not save him.
Meanwhile, Mr Sittiphop remained critically injured. Rescue workers recovered him and began CPR before transporting him to hospital. Medical teams continued efforts to save him, but his injuries proved fatal.
Mrs Nattaporn told investigators the entire operation had started because their car was submerged. Her husband hired the crane specifically to lift the vehicle onto higher ground. Instead, contact between the crane and the electrical wire killed both men.
Separately, police began reconstructing the sequence surrounding the electrical contact. Officers examined the scene after reaching the deeply flooded property. They also gathered accounts from people who witnessed the recovery attempt and its aftermath.
Police reconstruct fatal crane accident as witnesses are called in and post-mortem procedures begin
As part of this, Pol Lt Sarun asked witnesses to attend Bang Kaeo Police Station for formal questioning. Investigators were establishing events before the crane touched the electrical wire and both men entered the water.
The extreme flooding remained a central physical feature of the scene. Water exceeded 1.20 metres and surrounded the house, crane and submerged vehicle. It also forced emergency responders to use a high-clearance vehicle simply to reach the property.
In parallel, legal procedures began following Mr Thanakrit’s death. His body was sent to Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodin Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police said the examination would proceed under standard legal procedures.
Engineers work through night after Sunday’s fire on Bangkok’s Blue Line saw more damage than thought
Bangkok underworld figure charged with attempted murder after attacking a police officer Friday night
The disaster had started with an attempt to save a vehicle from days of rising floodwater. Mr Thanakrit hired Mr Sittiphop and his crane after the car became submerged outside his home.
Yet the recovery ended within moments after the crane’s tip contacted the electrical wire. Mr Sittiphop was electrocuted first and fell into the water. Mr Thanakrit then rushed to help and suffered another electric shock.
Ultimately, Mr Thanakrit died outside his flooded home after neighbours pulled him from the water. Mr Sittiphop survived long enough for rescuers to perform CPR and rush him to hospital. He later died there, leaving two men dead after the attempted recovery of one submerged car.
Join the Thai News forum, follow Thai Examiner on Facebook here
Follow Thai Examiner on Google here
Receive all our stories as they come out on Telegram here
Follow Thai Examiner here
Further reading:
Engineers work through night after Sunday’s fire on Bangkok’s Blue Line saw more damage than thought
Italian Thai boss and 16 others arrested on Thursday charged with Auditor General building deaths
Arrested man linked with Chatuchak building collapse now tells police he is a Chinese state employee
Prime Minister orders arrests over the Chatuchak Auditor General building disaster within seven days
Chinese steel firm linked to Chatuchak disaster faces DSI probes. Minister cancels investment status
