Tragic: 47-Year-Old Woman Loses Consciousness While Clam Digging, Drowns in Front of Her Young Son
A 47-year-old woman lost consciousness while clam digging in a pond and drowned in front of her young son in Udon Thani Province on May 15, with investigators suspecting sudden fainting caused her to fall face-first into the water.
A 47-year-old woman died after losing consciousness while clam digging with friends in a pond, drowning in front of her 7-year-old son at 2:10 PM on May 15, 2025. Deputy Sub-Lieutenant Nattapat Phuang Jab received a report of a drowning victim in a pond behind a residential area on Santi Suk Lane, Ban Khay Saneh Village, Nong Khon Kwang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province. Neighbors pulled the body out and provided first aid before rescue teams from Khao Prakach Hospital and Udon Sawang Methachakkamat Foundation arrived at the scene.
The pond covers approximately one acre with depths around one meter at the banks. The victim, identified as Samporn, age 47, was found wearing a blue patterned halter-neck shirt and three-quarter-length patterned pants, lying face-up and deceased. Her friend Daeng, age 58, and another neighbor helped retrieve the body from the water. Rescue personnel performed CPR for about 30 minutes but could not revive her.
As rescue efforts were underway, the victim's husband and daughter arrived at the scene. Upon learning that Samporn could not be saved, her daughter broke down in tears amid the grief of family and neighbors.
Physical examination of the body showed no signs of assault or struggle. Investigators believe the victim experienced sudden fainting, fell face-first into the water, and was unable to help herself. According to Daeng's statement, after lunch the victim invited the group to go clam diving at the pond—herself, Daeng, another neighbor, and her 7-year-old son. While they were separated searching for clams, Daeng noticed the victim had submerged her face. Initially thinking it was playful behavior with her son, who was riding on her back and laughing, Daeng soon realized something was wrong when she noticed the victim's fixed stare and clenched fists. She and the other neighbor quickly pulled her from the water and called authorities.
After the initial autopsy, relatives questioned the cause of death, so the body was transferred to the forensic medicine department at Udon Thani Hospital for a more thorough examination before being released to the family for funeral rites.
