Around 5 p.m. on 5/9, Thong was operating a rented rice harvester in the fields of Yen Thinh hamlet, Binh Minh commune (formerly part of Yen Thanh district), Nghe An province. As he passed a 35 kV power pole, the harvester's umbrella became entangled in an overhead telecommunications line.

The field beneath the 35 kV power pole area where Thong's accident occurred. *Photo: Hung Le*

Thong then climbed onto the machine's compartment to free the umbrella from the telecommunications line. At this point, the nearby 35 kV power line discharged electricity, striking him and causing him to collapse in the field.

Witnessing the incident, nearby field workers called for medical assistance. However, Thong did not survive.

Thong had been working as a rented rice harvester for many years and came from a difficult background.

Duc Hung