Horror moment tourist dies falling from moving train ‘while trying to take a selfie’ on Thailand’s ‘Death Railway’
A TOURIST plunged to his death from a moving train while reportedly trying to take a selfie on Thailand’s “Death Railway”.
Patrick Ward, 45, from Ireland, was travelling from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with a group of tourists when he plummeted down a steep slope from an open door.
According to reports, he opened a door in the carriage to take photos of the iconic scenery as the train passed along the cliffs above the Krasae Cave.
The tour company owner said Mr Ward slipped from the famous World War Two railway line after he “lost his balance” when the train “went around a corner”.
Local media reports suggested the tourist was trying to take a selfie when he fell.
Other passengers filming the view from the train captured the horrifying moment he plunged around 10 metres to his death.
Shocking video shows the man dropping from the carriage door and plummeting down the side of the cliff.
The driver stopped the train and rescue teams were scrambled to the area.
They performed CPR on the tourist for around 30 minutes.
But he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midday.
Lieutenant Colonel Kiattisak Kerdchoke said Mr Ward suffered a broken neck in the fall, news.com.au reports.
“I was informed at 11.54am that a tourist had fallen from the train while it was going along the railway bridge,” he said.
“A response team was co-ordinated with rescue workers and paramedics.
“Officers had to use methods to slowly descend the cliff to help the injured man.
“When they reached the body of the injured person, they found a large tear wound on the right arm, a broken neck.
“He was not responsive and not breathing.”
Tour company owner Prairat Butdawong, 70, said Mr Ward had moved between carriages after using the toilet and was taking a picture while the train “went round the corner”.
“I told all the tourists they cannot go out of the carriage, they strictly should not open the door,” he said.
“I said if you want to take pictures, take it from the window of the train.
“But when this tourist walked to the door of the second carriage and opened it to take a picture.
“I think the train twisted while it was turning and he lost his balance and fell.
“This has never happened in all the years I have been doing tours.”
The tour guide reportedly said the holidaymakers had been warned not to lean out of the carriages.
Mr Ward’s passport said he was born in New Zealand but he was an Irish citizen, although his current place of residence in Ireland is unknown.
Kiatisak said a full autopsy would be conducted on Wednesday in Bangkok, and fellow members of the tour group questioned.
The Death Railway and bridge over the River Kwai were built by prisoners of war from Australia, the UK and other countries.