Coconut Tree Kills Woman, 74, During Storm in Nakhon Pathom
A 74-year-old woman died when a 20-metre coconut tree snapped during a storm and struck her in an orchid garden in Nakhon Pathom province on August 18. She had been collecting fallen fruit when the 60-year-old tree toppled in strong winds a
In Nakhon Pathom province, a 60-year-old coconut tree standing 20 metres tall was snapped by strong winds and heavy rain, striking a 74-year-old woman with a fractured skull as she lay face-up on the ground. She died at the scene while gathering bird droppings fruit in an orchid garden on August 18. Samphran Police investigator Ransiman Senakham received the report of a fallen coconut tree killing a person in Village 4, Samphran subdistrict, Samphran district, Nakhon Pathom province.
After receiving the report, the investigator notified his superior and travelled to the scene along with the Poh Teck Tung Foundation. The incident occurred in an orchid garden. The body of Ms. So, 74 years old from Samphran subdistrict and owner of the garden, was found near the garden's edge. She wore a long-sleeved blue shirt and black three-quarter-length trousers, lying face-up with a fractured skull and scattered brain matter nearby.
Investigators found approximately 5 metres of the coconut tree's top lying beside the body. The tree's base section stood another 15 metres high, totalling 20 metres, with an estimated age of 60 years. The trunk showed signs of being fractured and broken.
When questioned, 78-year-old Somsak Prosombon, the deceased's brother, stated that before the incident the victim had gone out to collect bird droppings fruit growing beneath the coconut tree. At that time strong winds and rain had begun, causing the tree to break and fall. After the rain stopped he went to check and found the coconut tree had crushed his sister, who was already dead.
Police collected evidence from the scene and sent the body to Siriraj Hospital for further examination.
