Two killed as fatigued truck driver crashes on Pattaya highway

A devastating accident involving an 18-wheeler truck with a fatigued driver occurred yesterday morning on a highway near Pattaya, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The crash happened at about 8.40am in the Nong Pla Lai sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, on Highway 7 inbound to Pattaya.

Sawang Boriboon rescue workers responded swiftly to the distress call. Upon arrival, they found that the 18-wheeler, loaded with cement sheets, had crashed into a roadside shop.

The truck’s driver had lost control, veering off the road and colliding with a pickup truck, two motorbikes, two power poles, and the shop itself. The collision left a trail of destruction, with debris scattered widely.

Medical assistance was promptly administered to five injured individuals. Rescue workers had to extract the trapped truck driver from the wreckage. All the injured were subsequently transported to Banglamung Hospital for further treatment. Among the injured, a woman suffered severe injuries, with both of her legs reportedly crushed by the truck.

Tragically, two women lost their lives in the accident. The victims were identified as 25 year old Sirinthorn Muangton and a 17 year old girl whose name was withheld due to her age. Both were employees at the shop and were on a motorcycle at the front of the shop when the truck struck, resulting in their horrific deaths.

The driver of the 18-wheeler, 50 year old Rung Saengkhamchu, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel due to a lack of sleep. He sustained only minor injuries and expressed remorse for the tragedy, reported The Pattaya News.

The police are investigating to determine the exact cause of the accident and are expected to charge Rung for his reckless actions.

In related news, a motorcycle rider lost his life in a high-speed collision with a stationary Toyota Fortuner Fortuner along a bypass road in Chon Buri on May 4. The rider was reportedly riding at an immense speed of over 160 kilometres per hour, as indicated by his speedometer.