Investigation of injuries and deaths from ship accidents at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, September 2016

Abstract

Background: A 2-deck boat hit the embankment while traveling in Chao Phraya river on 18 September 2016. An investigation was conducted to describe the event, identify factors affecting injury and death, and provide recommendations for preventive measures.
Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out by collecting information on injuries and deaths from the medical records in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, Marine Corps Reports, investigation forms and environmental observation.The data were analyzed using the Haddon matrix method.
Results: The boat was carrying over 100 Muslim passengers and the accident took place at about 4 pm on 18 September 2016. The boat crashed into the concrete embankment and sank rapidly. Total 28 deaths ( 7 males and 21 females, age range 3–88 years, average age 33 years)involved and 44 injured persons visited the hospital (15 males and 29 females, age range <1–78 years, average age 30 years). About 51.85 percent out of 54 survivors sat on the upper deck while all deaths were at the lower deck. No one was wearing the life vest during the accident. Survival factors were swimming, assistance obtained from other passengers and being Jet Ski drivers.
Conclusions: The factors influencing in this accident were speedy of the boat while the driver was not familiar with the area, carrying passengers over the capacity of the boat, strong current and high water level, and no marker buoy available near the embankment. The preventive measures should focus on maximum loads and speed of the boat, training for boat drivers, setting up the marker buoy, and strictly use of life vest on the boat.