A former school director drowned attempting to save his dog from drowning in a lotus pond.
The unfortunate incident occurred at the private home of Boonrueng Jantadee, 76, and his wife Som-mai Jantadee, 73, in the Bangsaray sub-district of Sattahip on May 11.
Som-mai related the incident to reporters saying that around 8.50 p.m. their dog Mom-mam had fallen into their lotus pond and could not get out again. He barked loudly hoping to draw the attention of his owners to come and help.
Her husband ran to the pond to rescue his dog, asking his wife to fetch a flashlight. With torch in hand, he proceeded to walk into the pond to save the drowning canine.
As he stepped into the water, little did he realise that under the surface of the pond there was an overgrowth of lotus roots and stems which immediately ensnared his legs. The more he tried to get free, the tighter the roots tied up his legs dragging him under.
Som-mai was in shock and looked on helpless as her husband disappeared under the water right in front of her eyes.
She immediately phoned the local emergency rescue unit who arrived shortly after and searched the pond for her husband. Unfortunately he had already drowned and all they could do was to bring his lifeless body to the surface.
Meanwhile Mom-mam had managed to wade through the lotus plants and crawled safely ashore.
As Boonrueng was brought to shore and laid lifeless on the lawn, Mom-mam barked and cried, sensing that something had gone terribly wrong with his master.
Police made their initial investigations before the rescue unit transported the body to KM 10 Hospital in Sattahip.
