The tiny hamlet of Prachin Buri province, nestled in the heart of Thailand, was the setting of a dramatic life-saving rescue operation on 24th September. Satja Phutta Dham, a seasoned rescue team situated in the central reaches of the province, managed to save the life of a 73-year-old local named Nirun, who found himself trapped in a 3-meter deep water tank for more than two hours.
The incident unfolded at Khao Luk Chang Temple, tucked away in the heartland of the Kabin Buri district. Nirun, who had a long history of contributing his efforts to temple maintenance, was attempting to mend a leaky water tank. Despite his intentions, Nirun fell into the dry tank mid-cleaning and was left helpless, prompting him to call out in hopes of catching the attention of a passer-by.
His plea was heard by a monk who happened to be strolling nearby. Initially puzzled by the strange echoing cry for assistance, the monk soon traced the source of the sounds to the tank. Realizing that Nirun was in peril, the monk quickly mobilized a rescue operation by dialing the Satja Phutta Dham team.
Nirun’s saga in the tank began at 9am. But it wasn’t until two hours later when the observant monk found him and raised the alarm. Amid zero water inside, the incredibly high temperature and tight confines of the tank made it a herculean effort for Nirun just to breath. So much so, he nearly passed out before aid arrived.
Fully armed and able, the rescue team embarked on the mission by flipping the tank sideways. They then managed to retrieve the disoriented Nirun from the hole that measured merely 35 to 40 centimetres in width. The ordeal had left Nirun so drained that he was throwing up due to stress and suffocation. Prompt help came as a nun handed him an inhaler and water, looking to stabilize his condition before further medical assistance could be provided.
Once stable, Nirun was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital where he received a comprehensive health check. Back at the temple, the monk who alerted the rescue team lauded Nirun’s commitment towards the temple. Reinforcing Nirun’s usual presence during ceremonies and his voluntary contributions to fix the temple’s facilities, the monk pointed out the irony that Nirun’s act of service had returned to him in the form of his own saving grace.
At the close of the day, the news about Nirun’s condition post-rescue was still pending. Until then, the remarkable story of Nirun’s rescue stands as a testament to the sheer resilience of the human spirit and the community that rallied to help one of their own.
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