Tragic: A 67-year-old woman descended into a septic tank to rescue a dog, then died from suffocation. Meanwhile, the dog "Blackie" floated in the water, guarding its owner's body.
On 26 Apr 2026 GMT+7, reporters learned that rescue personnel in Aranyaprathet received a report of a death in an abandoned septic tank near Ban Kilo 2 School, Aranyaprathet Subdistrict, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province. They coordinated with police from Aranyaprathet Police Station, led by Lieutenant Apinya Ngamwongsa, the investigating officer, to inspect the scene.
Upon arrival, officials found an old septic tank in a neglected area. The tank's mouth was covered with a broken wooden lid with a large gap. Inside, they found the body of an elderly woman at the bottom, her head submerged in water and her legs pointing upward, unresponsive. She was later identified as Mrs. Supannee, aged 67. Nearby floated a female dog named "Blackie," about 5–6 months old, close to the body, deeply moving those present.
At the tank's mouth, officials found a rope, believed to have been used for descending to rescue the pet. The wooden lid showed signs of breakage. Authorities collected this as evidence and secured the area for detailed investigation.
Interviews with relatives and the victim's son revealed that before the incident, "Blackie" had fallen into the abandoned septic tank. The woman attempted to rescue the dog by rappelling down with a rope, intending to bring the dog up. However, after descending, she could not get back up. It is suspected she suffocated due to the enclosed, poorly ventilated space possibly containing toxic gases, combined with the intense heat at that time, causing her to lose consciousness and die inside the tank.
Mr. Suwapich, the victim’s son, sorrowfully shared that he had called his mother several times that morning without success. After hours without contact, he hurried home to look for her. Upon arrival, he noticed the tank’s lid was broken and abnormal. Peering inside, he found his mother’s lifeless body at the bottom and immediately alerted police and rescue teams.
Afterwards, rescue personnel carefully used equipment to lift the woman’s body from the tank, wary of residual toxic gases inside. They also safely retrieved "Blackie" from the tank.
Initially, Lieutenant Apinya Ngamwongsa conducted the scene investigation, documented the scene with photographs, and interviewed witnesses. He concluded that the woman likely died from suffocation in the enclosed septic tank. No signs of assault were found. The body was handed over to relatives for religious rites.
Authorities warn the public that septic tanks, groundwater pits, or any enclosed spaces can accumulate toxic gases and have low oxygen levels. Without protective equipment or expert supervision, people should not attempt rescue themselves, as this may result in additional unexpected fatalities.