An Irishman has died after jumping from a balcony at an airport in Bangkok, according to reports. The 35-year-old man died after jumping from a balcony outside the departure terminal of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday.
The man is thought to be from Northern Ireland. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. Police said the man was first seen trying to jump from the balcony at 1.30pm that day but was stopped by authorities. He was taken to the tourist police office to be calmed down.
The man refused to speak to airport officials. Eventually he revealed that he had no money for a flight home. Police asked for contact numbers of his relatives which he would not provide. He would keep leaving for cigarette breaks every ten minutes, according to police.
When staff failed to contact his relatives he asked to go for another cigarette break. While outside, he ran to the elevated bridge between gates 3 and 4 and jumped about 15 meters to the ground. He was found lying unconscious on the ground floor of the passenger terminal.
Airport staff are working with the UK embassy to arrange for his body to be sent back to his hometown.