CHON BURI: A young woman died and her mother, brother and a young child were injured when their old wooden house, built near a jetty, collapsed into the sea while they were sleeping in Sattahip district early yesterday.
The 62-year-old mother, her son and grandchild managed to escape before the house sank, but her daughter was trapped inside.
She was later rescued, unconscious from the ruins of the house and rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Sattahip police were alerted to the tragedy about 1.30am yesterday, Pol Lt Co Phasawat Sirinopphakhun, the chief investigator, said.
The dead woman was identified as Punyanuch Buasathian, 24. The injured were her mother Sirikorn Buasathian, 62, her brother Warinthon Buasathian, 25, and her daughter Notnicha Buasathian, aged 6.
Mr Warinthon said he was woken by loud creaking that indicated the house was about to collapse. He said he woke up the rest of the family and told them to get out of the house fast.
Everyone managed to get out except for Punyanuch, said Mr Warinthon.
He and neighbours managed to pull Punyanuch out of the water, but she was unconscious by then, Mr Warinthon said.
Police said the house was old but a detailed examination should find the exact cause of the collapse.
