An Irish tourist died on Thailand's Burma Railway, after leaning out of a door to take pictures of the panoramic view yesterday morning (December 27).

The route, also known as the Death Railway, is a 415 km railway between Ban Pong, Thailand and Thanbyuzayat, and Myanmar.

Holidaymaker Patrick Ward, 45, who was born in New Zealand, was traveling alone on the famous WWII rail line, which inspired the iconic film Bridge Over The River Kwai.

It has been reported that the man slipped from the 75-year-old train after he went to the toilet and decided to open a door to take pictures of the scenery as the train passed along cliffs above the Krasae Cave in Kanchanaburi province, 90 miles from Bangkok.

Onlookers recording the iconic view of the train coming round the bend saw Patrick plunging around 10 metres to his death. A tourist can be heard saying "he's fallen, he's fallen off the train".

The driver immediately stopped the train and rescue teams were sent to the area. They performed CPR on the man for around 30 minutes before he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midday. His body was then carried away on a small train to the nearest station.

Lieutenant Colonel Kiattisak Kerdchoke, the investigating inspector of Sai Yok district police station, said that Patrick had suffered a broken neck in the fall.

The policeman added: "I was informed at 11.54 am that a tourist had fallen from the train while it was going along the railway bridge. A response team was coordinated with rescue workers and paramedics.
Officers had to use methods to slowly descend the cliff to help the injured man. When they reached the body of the injured person, they found a large tear wound on the right arm, and a broken neck. He was not responsive and not breathing".

Patrick's tour guide said he had warned holidaymakers not to lean out of the carriages, which have open spaces. Doors can also be opened for passengers to sit on the steps and they can also lean from the windows.

Tour company owner Prairat Butdawong, 70, said that Patrick had moved

This is the horrifying moment a tourist died on Thailand's Death Railway after leaning out of a door to take pictures.

Irish holiday maker Patrick Ward, 45, who was born in New Zealand, had been traveling alone on the famous WWII rail line, which inspired the iconic film Bridge Over The River Kwai on Tuesday morning.

He had reportedly been to the toilet on the passenger train then opened a door to capture pictures of the scenery as it passed along cliffs above the Krasae Cave in Kanchanaburi province, 90 miles from Bangkok.

Patrick reportedly slipped from the shaky 75-year-old train, which was going along the same wooden tracks built by prisoners of war in 1940s.

Onlookers recording the iconic view of the train coming round the bend recorded Patrick plunging around 10 metres (32ft) to his death. A tourist can be heard saying 'he's fallen, he's fallen off the train'.

The driver stopped the train and rescue teams were sent to the area. They performed CPR on the Kiwi for around 30 minutes before he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midday. He was then carried away on a small train on the tracks to the nearest station.

Lieutenant Colonel Kiattisak Kerdchoke, the investigating inspector of Sai Yok district police station, said that Patrick had suffered a broken neck in the fall.

The policeman added: 'I was informed at 11:54 a.m that a tourist had fallen from the train while it was going along the railway bridge.

'A response team was co-ordinated with rescue workers and paramedics.

'Officers had to use methods to slowly descend the cliff to help the injured man. When they reached the body of the injured person, they found a large tear wound on the right arm, a broken neck. He was not responsive and not breathing.'

The tour guide that had taken Patrick on the trip said he had warned holidaymakers not to lean out of the carriages, which have open spaces where they connect.

Doors can also be opened for passengers to sit on the steps and they can also lean from the windows.

Tour company owner Prairat Butdawong, 70, said that Patrick had moved between carriages after using the toilet and was taking a picture while the train 'went round the corner'.

He said: 'I told all the tourists they cannot go out of the carriage, they strictly should not open the door. I said if you want to take pictures, take it from the window of the train.

'But when this tourist waled to the door of the second carriage and opened it to take a picture.

'I think the train twisted while it was turning and he lost his balance and fell. This has never happened in all the years I have been doing tours.'

Police said the tourist's body had been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Police General Hospital in Bangkok for a post-mortem examination. The New Zealand embassy in Bangkok has been informed in order to contact Patrick's relatives.

The Death Railway and the bridge over the River Kwai were built by prisoners of war from Australia, the UK and other countries. The 258 miles long railway line stretching from Bangkok to Burma was built to help to transport supplies for the German and Japanese war effort against the Allies.