PHRAE – A 22-year-old police officer has been found dead from drowning in the river while chasing a fleeing drug suspect.

The incident took place on Wednesday, around 2:00 p.m. Officers from the Sa-Iap station were inspecting a bridge over a river in Song district, where they found a 37-year-old construction worker, identified only as Komkrit, who was believed to be using drugs.

The startled suspect ran and jumped into the river. Pol L/C Sitthipong Kanta followed and jumped too. However, due to his heavy uniform, the young officer was washed away by the strong current.

A search ensued and at 6.15pm the divers found the body of Pol L/C Sitthipong and brought it up. It was not known if the drug suspect was caught.

A statement of condolence was posted on the Facebook page of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigations Division, which attracted many comments from netizens, saying the young officer was brave and worthy of respect.