An American tourist died after slipping on a wet sidewalk and being electrocuted by a malfunctioning streetlight in Phuket, officials reported on Friday.
Thura Kyaw, a 33-year-old from New York, was on his way to a seafood restaurant on Don Jom Thao Road in Tambon Thep Krasattri of Thalang District with his girlfriend at 9:30 PM on Thursday.
During the walk, he fell and grabbed a light pole for support, as reported by the New York Post.
The pole, suspected of having an exposed live wire, electrocuted the man, rendering him unconscious. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, according to Pol Maj Thanom Thongpaen, who spoke to Thai media.
CCTV footage captured the urgent efforts of passers-by who tried to help the unconscious man by administering CPR, but they failed to revive him.
A witness, known only as Phiew, told Asia Pacific Press, “I saw that the man had fallen, but his leg was still touching the pole. When I tried to help him, I got an electric shock myself.”
Phiew managed to free the man’s leg from the streetlight and called for an ambulance.
Kyaw, who also held Myanmar nationality, had traveled from the US a week earlier to meet his long-distance partner, whom he hadn’t seen in six years, a friend disclosed.
The friend recounted, “I was eating dinner at the restaurant when they arrived. His girlfriend was walking ahead, and he slipped on the wet ground while following her.”
To prevent further incidents, officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority disconnected the power to the streetlight, which was carrying 220 volts.
The responsibility for the streetlight lies with the Phuket Highway District Office, and residents were urged to contact the office for any necessary repairs.
