Seven engineering freshmen were injured and rushed to hospital yesterday after a large tree fell onto a bench they were sitting on at the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.
Two among them were seriously injured, including Jirat Sanga-areekul who suffered from a cracked skull, broken ribs, broken arm and a spinal fracture while his friend Channat Amornwasin suffered a cracked skull and broken collarbone.
Jirat and Channat’s conditions were described as stable. They are still receiving treatment at Chulalongkorn Hospital, while two others suffering less severe injuries are expected to be released today.
The remaining three suffered minor injuries and were able to go home yesterday.
According to Nattapat Assawasurareuk, who suffered minor head pain after he was hit by a branch, the group were hanging out during lunch yesterday when the old flame tree suddenly fell on them.
Luckily, the trunk missed the students and they were just struck by the branches.
The university cut the tree down after the accident. The tree was reportedly quite old and filled with termites.
Deputy Dean Thanit Thongtong said the university already had a policy to inspect the old trees in the campus, but they will be even more careful now.
Thanit said the students all had insurance to pay for their hospital bills, Thairath reported.
