Five injured in Kamala pickup vs tuk tuk smash
A dawn disaster struck the steep, winding road between Kamala and Patong when a pickup truck with faulty brakes collided with a tuk tuk, leaving five people injured, including a Russian tourist.
The crash happened at 4.45am yesterday, December 17 just south of the notorious Khuan Yak Curve. When police and rescue teams from Kamala Rescue and the Kusoldharm Foundation arrived, they found the carnage: an Isuzu pickup overturned and battered, alongside a Suzuki tuk tuk toppled on its side.
The pickup driver, 52 year old Issarayot Wichaidit, sustained injuries in the crash. Tuk tuk driver 45 year old Pracha Anluen was also hurt, along with his three passengers: 38 year old Chutima Champasri, 32 year old Marisa Pudchin, and 40 year old Russian national Arthur Nabillin. All five were rushed to Patong Hospital for treatment.
Police say the pickup was heading from Kamala towards Patong when its brakes failed on the steep descent. The truck veered into the opposite lane, slamming into the tuk tuk heading uphill.
Officers have recorded statements from both drivers, who corroborated the sequence of events, said a police spokesperson.
“We are investigating further to determine liability and proceed with legal action.”
The Khuan Yak Curve, notorious for its sharp incline and frequent accidents, has long been a concern for locals and tourists. Police are being urged to enhance road safety measures in the area, especially during the busy holiday season.
In related news, a tuk tuk driver lost consciousness at the wheel, causing his vehicle to swerve off the road and collide with a taxi. Emergency responders quickly administered CPR after detecting a weak pulse and then transported him to the hospital for further treatment.
In other news, a viral video showing tuk tuks parked along the red and white kerbside in Patong, Phuket sparked outrage on social media.
