BANGKOK, Thailand – Two students plunged from the sixth floor of a school building in Sai Mai district. Both survived with serious injuries thanks to a tree and an awning. Police are now investigating the circumstances.
The 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl hugged each other on the balcony after classes ended. Witnesses told police they then jumped together from the sixth floor.
Their bodies hit the branches of a large tree and the building’s awning on the way down. That broke the fall. Rescuers found both still had a pulse when they arrived.
Shoes placed neatly side by side
On the balcony outside the classroom, officers made a discovery that shapes the investigation. The pair’s shoes stood neatly side by side in front of the railing.
Police photographed the shoes and took them as evidence. Investigators hope to learn what happened just before the jump from the way the shoes were left.
Both rushed to hospitals with life-threatening injuries
Rescuers from Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, CGH Sai Mai and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation treated the students at the scene. They performed resuscitation before the boy was taken to CGH Hospital and the girl to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital.
Both were still wearing their school uniforms at the time of the fall. They attended the same class in Grade M.4.
Police probe relationship stress and school pressure
Initial interviews point to personal problems or school stress as possible causes. Deputy investigator R.T.A. Phuritha Phangsanga and chief of Sai Mai police station P.T.A. Nathatchaphong Kiram are leading the inquiry personally.
Officers have not yet released a definitive motive. They are examining the students’ social circles and academic records.
Teachers, friends and parents questioned
Police have announced interviews with the homeroom teacher, other teachers and close friends of the two students. Guardians will also be questioned soon.
The goal is to reconstruct the exact trigger for the jump and get a complete picture of events at the school in Sai Mai district.