Highway rescue worker killed in Prachuap Khiri Khan lorry collision
A tragic accident occurred when a car collided with a lorry in Prachuap Khiri Khan, resulting in the death of a 39 year old municipal worker from Thap Sakae. The crash, taking place at a U-turn on Phetkasem Road, raised questions about visibility issues due to the sun’s glare.
The accident unfolded around 2pm yesterday, December 18. Supalak Wanwacha, a female deputy inspector from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station, received reports of a fatal collision between a Toyota Avanza and a Hino lorry at kilometre marker 300/600 on the southbound lane in Ao Noi subdistrict.
Police officials, highway officers, and rescue teams from the Sawang Prachuap Thammasathan Foundation swiftly arrived at the accident scene.
Upon arrival, police discovered the Toyota Avanza, registered in Bangkok, wedged into the side of the Hino lorry, also registered in Bangkok. Tragically, inside the wreckage was the lifeless body of the car’s driver, a municipal officer who was also a voluntary highway rescue worker. The severity of the impact left the vehicle’s front end destroyed, and rescuers had to employ cutting equipment to extricate the body from the mangled car.
A Department of Highways worker, who witnessed the incident while mowing grass nearby, reported seeing the lorry emerge from a tyre repair shop before making a U-turn. As the lorry proceeded southbound, the Toyota Avanza, travelling in a straight path, collided with it with a thunderous noise.
The worker immediately ceased work and approached the scene, where they found the car driver already deceased. Police were promptly notified to investigate and provide assistance.
Akkom, the lorry driver, recounted the events leading up to the crash. He explained that after completing a tyre repair at a nearby garage, he set off to make a U-turn.
He stated that he was unaware of any oncoming traffic, and the car seemed to appear suddenly, crashing into the lorry at speed.
“I am deeply saddened and did not wish for this to happen.”
Akkom added that the sun’s glare might have hindered the car driver’s visibility during the early afternoon.
The deceased’s body was transported to the hospital for further legal proceedings and investigation. Meanwhile, arrangements are underway for the family to retrieve the body for religious rites, reported KhaoSod.
