Man Dies in Bicycle Crash on First Day of Work

A 66-year-old man died in a bicycle accident while heading to work on his first day, hoping to earn money to support his family. His heartbroken grandson revealed he would now take over caring for their grandmother. On July 24, rescue workers responded to a call at Wat Buppharam temple in Muang District, Trat Province, finding the man lying unconscious with a head injury beside his bicycle. Rescue volunteers performed initial CPR before coordinating with the hospital ambulance. Hospital staff later confirmed his death and police launched an investigation.

Inspection of the bicycle revealed it was an old model without functioning front or rear brakes. The man had improvised a front brake using an old flip-flop attached with nylon rope to the handlebars and controlled with a latch. However, the steep entrance to the work site proved fatal—when he attempted to brake while cycling downhill, the nylon rope snapped, causing the bicycle to accelerate before he crashed and struck his head.

A construction worker stated the man had applied for the job the previous day but couldn't start due to rain. He arrived early on his first day, before the 8 a.m. shift, when no one else was present. Other workers discovered him unconscious with his bicycle and called for emergency assistance.

His 27-year-old grandson revealed that the man had raised him since birth and previously worked odd jobs to support the family. A week earlier he became unemployed but recently secured this construction job because his grandmother's small shop sales were insufficient to cover rent and household expenses. The grandson said he would now assume responsibility for caring for his grandmother. Police documented the scene, took statements, and had the body transported to the hospital for the family to arrange traditional funeral rites.