Japanese man killed after minivan crashes into toll gate near Bangkok
A Japanese man lost his life after his minivan crashed into a toll gate in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, February 16.
The fatal accident was reported to Bang Kaew Police Station at around 12pm. It occurred at Bang Phli Toll Gate on the Burapha Withi Expressway in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province. Police officers rushed to the scene, accompanied by rescuers from the Por Teck Tung Foundation.
CCTV footage showed that the black Toyota Alphard minivan was being driven at high speed when it collided heavily with the pillar of the toll gate. The front of the vehicle was completely destroyed.
The driver was suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel, as there were no signs of an attempt to brake or avoid the crash.
The rescue team had to use metal-cutting tools to extricate the 38 year old Thai driver, Pairoj, from the driver’s seat. Pairoj sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.
In the passenger seat behind the driver, officers found the 57 year old Japanese businessman, Soichi, trapped. The Japanese man was reported to be the president of a manufacturing company in Chon Buri. He was believed to be returning from a golf course, as a golf club bag was found inside the vehicle.
A similar accident occurred at a toll gate in Pattaya in December last year. On that occasion, a coach bus carrying 40 Russian tourists from Rayong crashed into a toll gate in Pattaya. The accident resulted in injuries to 32 Russian tourists, the Thai bus driver, and a Thai bus attendant.
Seven of the victims, including the driver, were in serious condition. The driver claimed he lost control of the bus and attempted to brake but failed to stop the vehicle.
In the same month, a Thai sedan driver lost his life in an accident on an expressway in Bangkok. The driver was reportedly travelling at high speed when he crashed into the rear of a parked pickup on the road.
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