(18 December) A 50 year old woman has been put into coma by a billboard which has fallen on her as she was waiting for bus at a bus stop in Pathumthani province.
The incident took place in front of Major Cineplex Rangsit shopping mall yesterday morning. The 1×2 square metre billboard – displaying advertisement for a fastfood restaurant – was mounted on an 8 metre long metal pole; its base was visibly rusted.
The injured woman suffered from sharp wounds in her face, skull, and mouth, while her nose had also been broken by the fallen billboard, rescue workers said. She was later admitted to ICU in Pathumthani Hospital, and her condition had been described as severe.
Witnesses said the woman was waiting for bus along with other pedestrians when a strong gust of wind blew and the billboard suddenly fell down onto the victim.
Manager of the Major Cineplex Group Rangsit said he had visited the woman at the hospital, adding that the company will take responsibility for the medical bills.
The manager said the metal pole might have been rusted from the Great Flood in 2011, during which the mall and surrounding area were hit by 1 metre high flood.
He told reporters that the company will inspect other billboard poles in the area for any similar damage to prevent further disasters.
A senior police officer said the local police will assist Major Cineplex company in their inspection of the billboards. He added that no one has yet been charged in the incident, as the police are waiting for the injured woman to recover and give testimony first.
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