Sriracha Rescue Unit was called to an urgent situation at a swimming pool in Pornthep Village, where a young girl had become trapped with her arm lodged in a drainage pipe. The incident occurred at a residential pool, and the girl’s left arm was stuck in the suction pipe, which is responsible for drawing water into the filtration system. Her father was on-site, trying to comfort her as she cried in distress, and witnesses reported that she was terrified.
The rescue operation proved to be incredibly difficult. Upon arrival, the team quickly assessed the situation and realized that the only way to free the girl was to drain a significant portion of the pool’s water. With the water level reduced, the rescue team then used an electric drill to break through the surrounding concrete, followed by cutting the PVC pipe that was trapping her arm. After nearly two hours of intense and methodical effort, the rescuers successfully freed the girl’s arm, taking it along with the pipe to ensure her safety.
Following the rescue, she was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and care. The situation was particularly alarming, but the coordinated efforts of the rescue team, local officials, and community members helped to ensure a safe outcome. Praman Sangwirun, a 60-year-old witness, recalled the moment he saw the girl with her arm stuck in the narrow, 1.5-inch diameter pipe. He praised the swift and determined actions of the rescue personnel and highlighted the support of the local village chief and residents, who helped by removing water from the pool, making it easier for rescuers to reach the trapped child.
Authorities suspect that the accident occurred because the suction pipe did not have a proper cover, creating an opening that allowed the girl to inadvertently insert her arm into the pipe. Once inside, the powerful suction from the water pump trapped her arm, making it impossible for her to free herself. The incident has raised concerns about pool safety, particularly the need for proper covers on suction pipes to prevent similar accidents in the future.
