Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KIGALI817
2006-08-23 15:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:  

DEATH OF AMCIT MACH VISUDH AROM

Tags:  CASC RW 
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VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLGB #0817 2351513
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231513Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3146
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 0017
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE 0570
UNCLAS KIGALI 000817 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/OCS ATTN: STUART DENYER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC RW
SUBJECT: DEATH OF AMCIT MACH VISUDH AROM


UNCLAS KIGALI 000817

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/OCS ATTN: STUART DENYER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC RW
SUBJECT: DEATH OF AMCIT MACH VISUDH AROM



1. On Tuesday, August 22, 2006 AMCIT Mach Visudh Arom died of
apparent sudden cardiac arrest in the region of Ruhengeri,
Rwanda.


2. Mr. Arom was born on March 29, 1968 in Minnesota.
Passport number 074699483.


3. Acting Consular Officer was notified on August 22, 2006 by
Chris Donovan, Rwanda Country Director for the International
Rescue Committee (IRC). The Rwandan National Police also
notified RSO.


4. NOK are the parents of Mr. Arom, who reside in Thailand.
Next of kin were notified by telephone by Michael Despines,
an AMCIT colleague of the deceased who was with him at the
time of death.


5. The remains left Rwanda on Kenya Airways flight KQ274 on
August 23. Final destination of the remains is Bangkok,
Thailand. Expected time of arrival in Bangkok is August 24
at 11:25am local time on Kenya Airways flight KQ230, which
originates in Nairobi. The body is being escorted by Michael
Despines and the IRC's regional director.


6. Medical reports indicate that the presumed cause of death
was sudden cardiac arrest leading to heart attack. No
autopsy was performed (Note: Rwandan law does not require an
autopsy in the case of a natural or accidental death). Mr.
Arom, whose trip to Rwanda was organized by the IRC,
reportedly collapsed just as he was completing a gorilla trek
in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla Treks, which
are led by park rangers, are high altitude hikes that
sometimes involve long distances and strenuous terrain.
After collapsing, Mr. Arom was taken by IRC vehicle to the
provincial hospital in Ruhengeri. A/RSO and A/Con Off were
notified of Mr. Arom's condition by Chris Donovan. A/Con Off
attempted to reach Dr. Caleb King, an AMCIT doctor who works
at the hospital in Ruhengeri. King was out of Ruhengeri but
A/Con Off spoke with his wife, who alerted hospital officials
that Mr. Arom was being brought in. Mr. Arom was declared
dead on arrival at the hospital.
ARIETTI