Elderly Man Rescued From Collapsed House in Samut Prakan

A 70-year-old man was rescued after his wooden house suddenly collapsed while he slept in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan, early Friday morning. The incident was reported around 04:30 in a community behind Wat Pa Ket School in Song Khanong subdistrict after the single-storey wooden structure in Soi Phetchahueng 14 gave way with the resident trapped inside.

Neighbours and officials found Toi Sae Sim, 70, trapped beneath the collapsed structure near his bed. Residents and rescue workers began removing debris and roof tiles, and after about 25 minutes managed to pull him from the wreckage. First responders found he had suffered a back injury and took him to Bang Chak Hospital for treatment.

The house, which covered about 15 square wah and had been in use for nearly 50 years, was showing signs of deterioration. Local authorities had inspected the property two or three days before the collapse as part of efforts to arrange for a new house to be built, but the structure collapsed before assistance could be provided.

Suriya Saengchan, 47, a resident nearby, was the first to enter the collapsed structure after being alerted by his nephew. He immediately began removing debris and roof tiles after hearing Toi calling for help, saying he did not have time to think about the risk as his only priority was saving the man's life.

Veerathon Nara, 17, a disaster relief volunteer, heard the loud crash while sleeping and saw the neighbouring house had collapsed. He immediately called for additional manpower and help coordinate the rescue. Rescuers faced difficulties reaching the victim because there was no clear way into the structure and they had to climb over debris filled with nails. The house had no electricity or running water, as utilities had been disconnected and the resident normally obtained electricity through a connection from the nearby temple.