Rescue vehicle crash in northern Thailand kills one, injures two

A tragic accident involving a rescue vehicle occurred early today in Phichit province, northern Thailand, resulting in one death and two injuries. The vehicle, en route to aid flood victims in Sukhothai, collided with a parked 18-wheeler after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

Sutchin Kesa, an officer at Wang Sai Phun Police Station, received a report at 2am today, August 27, of a collision involving a rescue vehicle and a parked trailer truck on Highway 11 in Nong Plalai, Wang Sai Phun district, Phichit province. Police and rescue personnel rushed to the scene.

A Nissan rescue vehicle from Lai 16 Lamnarai collided with a Hino 18-wheeler, which was parked on the roadside. The collision resulted in three injuries: two adults and a child. The injured were quickly extracted from the wreckage and identified as 42 year old Athit, 35 year old Kanita, and an unnamed 12 year old boy. All three were transported to Wang Sai Phun Hospital but Kanita later succumbed to her injuries.

“The family was on a mission to deliver donated supplies to flood victims in Sukhothai.”

The family were volunteers with the Phang Lai Rescue Foundation. Along with 12 other volunteers, they were travelling in a convoy of six vehicles and one boat, carrying donated goods from the residents of Lamnarai, Lopburi province. Athit’s vehicle was bringing up the rear of the convoy.

Upon investigation, police learned that Athit had been unwell before the journey and had likely fallen asleep while driving. The accident occurred at kilometre marker 170, where his vehicle veered off course and struck the parked trailer truck.

“The team had planned to cover approximately 300 kilometres to reach Sukhothai. We had already taken a break at the Nong Bua intersection in Nakhon Sawan.”

Athit had indicated that if he felt too tired to continue driving, he would switch with another driver. The next scheduled stop was in Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok province, where they intended to regroup with the foundation’s management before proceeding to Sukhothai. However, the accident occurred before they could reach the next stop, reported KhaoSod.