Dramatic accident in western Thailand: A tourist (45) died on Tuesday when he fell out of a moving train!
Authorities identified him as Patrick Ward, who was born in New Zealand and held an Irish passport. He had only entered Thailand on a tourist visa the day before.
The Irishman got on the train with a group in the capital Bangkok. Direction Kanchanaburi. The track is a popular tourist attraction. It also includes the world famous “Bridge on the River Kwai”. There is an Oscar-winning feature film about her.
As the train slowed along the iconic route, Ward suddenly fell out of one of the carriages. the „Bangkok Post“ reported, citing witnesses, that he opened a train door to take photos – and then fell out.
A witness filmed the accident
A police spokesman also said that the Irishman had opened a door in the carriage. He then fell seven to eight meters in depth. However, the police officer declined to confirm the report that Ward wanted to take a selfie. The tour leader said the victim “lost his balance” when the train swerved.
Another tourist accidentally filmed the dramatic incident. The video shows the Irishman falling backwards. Rescue workers were only able to recover his body, which was covered in wounds – attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Now an autopsy should clarify further circumstances of the death. So far, investigators have not assumed that there was a crime.
The once 415-kilometer route on which the accident happened is also notorious as the “death railway” because of its dark history. Reason: It was built in 1943 by 60,000 Japanese prisoners of war and 180,000 forced labourers.
It was intended to provide the Japanese army with a rapid supply route during World War II. Around 100,000 workers paid for this with their lives.