Five men fatally injured as pickup hits tree in N Thailand

Police reported that five men were fatally injured and four sustained serious injuries after a pickup truck veered off a rural road at a bend and collided with a tree in the Non Thai district, Northern Thailand yesterday morning.

According to police, Sergeant Major Phayungkiat Waisanthia, who is based at the 11th Infantry Division in Bangkok, was driving eight friends from his village back home to Ban Nong Waeng in tambon Banlang after a night out in Non Thai district town in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Isaan. Four of the passengers were riding in the back of the truck, reported Bangkok Post.

At approximately 3.05am, the 31 year old driver lost control of the pickup truck while navigating a bend near Sa Takhe village. The vehicle veered off the road, collided with a roadside tree, and overturned. The vehicle sustained major damage as a result of the crash.

All five individuals who were riding inside the pickup truck’s cabin were killed in the crash. They were identified as Sgt Maj Phayungkiat, 17 year old Anothai Chiangkwang, 21 year old Kunakorn Thaengthong, 17 year old Yotha Muangklangdon, and 18 year old Peerapat Sawanyathipat.

The four individuals who were riding in the back of the truck were thrown off by the impact and sustained serious injuries. They were identified as 30 year old Suthinan Kongmuang, 20 year old Thanawat Kengklangdon, 30 year old Athit Peksanthia, and 20 year old Piyathat Pothaworn.

The deceased and three of the injured were taken to Non Thai Hospital by rescue workers. The most critically injured survivor was rushed to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for treatment.