Wet Sidewalk Leads to Tragedy in Phuket: American Tourist Electrocuted After Slipping and Grabbing Live Streetlight

Thailand (The Uttam Hindu): An American tourist tragically lost his life in Phuket after slipping on a wet sidewalk and being electrocuted by a faulty streetlight, authorities reported on Friday.

Thura Kyaw, 33, from New York, was walking with his girlfriend to a seafood restaurant on Don Jom Thao Road in the Thep Krasattri area of Thalang district around 9:30 PM Thursday when he fell. As he tried to steady himself by grabbing a light pole it is believed the pole was live and electrocuted him rendering him unconscious. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

Dramatic CCTV footage captured passers-by rushing to help the unconscious man. They performed CPR but were unable to revive him. One witness identified only as Phiew, recalled, “I saw the man fall but his leg was still touching the pole. When I tried to help him I was shocked myself. I managed to pull his leg away from the streetlight before calling an ambulance.”

Kyaw, who also held Myanmar nationality had arrived in Phuket a week ago to visit his long-distance partner whom he had not seen in six years according to a friend. “I was eating at the restaurant when they arrived. His girlfriend was ahead of him and he slipped on the wet pavement while following her” the friend shared.

In response, officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority turned off the power to the light pole which was carrying 220 volts of electricity to prevent further accidents. They also noted that the streetlight is under the responsibility of the Phuket Highway District Office and urged residents to contact the office for repairs.