Man Dies After Collapsing During Soccer Game in Phuket

A 50-year-old man died after collapsing on July 26 at Saphan Hin Sports Center in Phuket Municipality. At approximately 5:45 p.m., he was playing football with friends as usual when he suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed after just one match, and passed away shortly afterward, despite the full rescue efforts of teammates, bystanders, and emergency personnel.

Witnesses said the man was a regular in a senior football group that played every Saturday at the same facility. He normally played leisurely, without intense effort or running throughout the game. On the day of the incident, after finishing his first match and sitting down to rest, he suddenly collapsed to the ground. Teammates and others on the field immediately began CPR to revive him and called for an ambulance. A nurse who happened to be exercising nearby also provided first aid and retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED) from behind the nearby beach volleyball court, which is believed to be municipal equipment.

However, the ambulance took nearly 30 minutes to arrive. The man was rushed to the hospital, but doctors were ultimately unable to save his life.

Witnesses expressed deep sadness, saying the man was a regular member of the football group and that his sudden death shocked and devastated his friends and those at the facility. They urged sports enthusiasts, especially elderly players engaging in strenuous activities like football, to get a health assessment beforehand if they have chronic conditions or poor physical condition, and to choose activities appropriate for their age to prevent unexpected incidents. They expressed their condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased.