Pregnant woman and husband escape after car plunges into pond

A nine-month pregnant woman and her Chinese husband narrowly escaped when their car plunged into a pond after she accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake. The incident occurred yesterday in Wang Takhian, Kabin Buri, Prachinburi province.

The pregnant woman, 30 year old Wannarat, from Si Maha Phot district, was driving with her husband when she made a wrong turn and stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake. Their car, a yellow MG sedan, sped off the road and submerged in a pond measuring over three rai in area and 4 metres deep.

Wannarat and her husband managed to swim to safety and walked 400 metres to seek help from a roadside vendor. The vendor immediately contacted the local rescue foundation, Satja Buddhamma of Thailand, who dispatched a team to assist the couple.

“While I was selling goods, a heavily pregnant woman came up to me and said she had driven her car into a pond. She and her husband walked to seek help,” the vendor, Thawon Kumjan, recounted.

The rescue team transported Wannarat to Kabin Buri Hospital for a thorough examination to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. From initial inquiries, it was revealed that Wannarat and her husband were on their way to look for rental accommodation. They decided to turn back, and during the manoeuvre, she mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to plunge into the pond.

“In that split second, I told my husband to open the car door, and the car quickly sank. We swam to the shore and sought help from the villagers,” Wannarat explained.

Divers from the rescue team were dispatched to retrieve the submerged vehicle, which was located 4 metres underwater. Using steel cables, they successfully pulled the car out within 25 minutes. The vehicle, bearing registration number 1 กน 6247 from Phetchabun, was found with its front end damaged, reported KhaoSod.

Police Lieutenant Pramote Sesri from Wang Takhian Police Station received the report and confirmed the details of the incident. The police believe that Wannarat might have mistakenly shifted gears and pressed the accelerator instead of the brake while attempting to make a U-turn, leading to the accident.