Van crash kills four officials returning to Bangkok from ceremony

A tragic accident involving a van carrying officials from the Department of Water Resources resulted in the deaths of four people after the vehicle crashed into a tree. The van was returning to Bangkok when the incident occurred.

Yesterday, October 27, police from Kosamphi Nakhon Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet province responded to an accident involving a white Toyota van that veered off the road and collided with a tree. The accident happened on Phahonyothin Road in Ban Khlong Mueang, Kosamphi Nakorn district. Seven individuals, including the driver, were on board the van.

The passengers were returning from a Royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Phra Chedi Sao Lang in Ton Thong Chai, Mueang district, Lampang province, heading back to Bangkok. Among the passengers were six officials from the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Rescue teams from Sawang Kamphaeng Phet Foundation spent over an hour extricating the injured and deceased from the wreckage using two hydraulic cutters. The front of the van was severely damaged due to the impact with the tree.

The accident resulted in four fatalities and three injuries. The deceased were identified as 39 year old Punyavee, who died at the hospital; 36 year old Benjaporn, who also died at the hospital; 33 year old Patcharaporn, who died at the scene; and 43 year old Surasit, the driver, who died at the hospital. ‘

The injured were identified as 53 year old Kritsapat; 47 year old Chaloemchon; and 31 year old Dolaya. The injured were urgently transported to Kosamphi Nakhon Hospital and then transferred to Kamphaeng Phet Hospital.

Police investigations at the scene revealed that the van had marks indicating a sudden swerve off the road before crashing into the tree. The road is a straight four-lane highway with no potholes or CCTV cameras. It is believed that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, exacerbated by the road’s lack of rest stops or petrol stations, potentially leading to driver fatigue.

This section of the road has a history of accidents. In 2018, another van involved in a Kathin ceremony heading north crashed into a tree, resulting in seven deaths and three injuries. The cause was similarly attributed to the driver falling asleep, reported KhaoSod.