12-Year-Old Boy Killed in Rocket Accident

Remnants of a the homemade rock that accidentally exploded and killed a 12-year-old boy in Ubon Ratchathanee province, 30 April 2014.

UBON RATCHATHANEE — A 12-year-old boy was killed this morning when a homemade rocket accidentally exploded in Ubon Ratchathanee province.

The incident took place in Pho Yai district at around 11:30 a.m. Police say the boy, identified as Wuttinan Moonsaeng, was found at the scene with severe wounds to the head.  

Naikham Moonsaeng, the boy’s 50-year-old uncle, said Wutthinan was helping him prepare a traditional rocket to be fired in a ceremony to honour the local spirits on 1 May.

The rocket consisted of a plastic pipe filled with saltpetre. Mr. Naikham was pouring the saltpetre and his nephew was placing metal plates at the bottom of the missile to seal its ignition chamber when a small explosion suddenly occurred, sending the metal plate into the boy's skull, according to Mr. Naikham.

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The police say they are investigating the incident to determine whether the death was caused by negligence. 

 

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