Tank accident kills sergeant and cadet in central Thailand
Tragedy struck when a tank accident killed a Thai sergeant and a cadet in the central Lop Buri province yesterday.
The accident occurred during a joint military, police, and civilian exercise. According to Matichon, the Scorpion light tank carrying three military personnel was just a kilometre from its destination, Hill 129, when it collided with an FTX truck that was coming from the opposite direction.
Both vehicles swerved left, and the tank climbed over an earthen barrier, tumbled down a cliff, and overturned on an earthen road below. Sergeant Major First Class Sangha Joito and cadet Phuwanai Kamlangdee were both severely injured.
An emergency helicopter arrived on the scene to transport Sangha and Phuwanai to Ananda Mahidol Hospital. But unfortunately, their injuries were too severe, and they died.
Now, the Royal Thai Army is mourning the tragic losses of the two men. Commander-in-Chief General Narongphan Jitkaewthae has now met with Sangha and Phuwanai’s families to express his condolences. General Narongphan is now making preparations for the two men’s funeral ceremonies.
A committee will be set up to investigate the incident.
In the past, there have been a few military accidents in Thailand. Over the years, several accidents involving military personnel, equipment and vehicles have occurred in the country. Here are some recent incidents:
- In February 2022, a soldier and a cadet died when a light tank they were travelling in overturned during a joint military, police and civilian exercise in Lopburi province.
- In September 2021, a helicopter crashed in northern Thailand, killing nine people, including the army chief and several senior officers.
- In December 2020, a military helicopter crashed in northern Thailand, killing three army officers and injuring one.
- In March 2020, a soldier was killed and several others injured when a tank overturned during a training exercise in Chonburi province.
- In February 2020, a military helicopter crashed in northeastern Thailand, killing three people.
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