Life in the fast lane: Heroic rescue revives foreign driver in Pattaya
A Thai rescue team yesterday saved a foreign man who lost consciousness while driving on a road in Pattaya, reportedly due to a congenital condition.
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and a rescue team were called to the footpath near the Land Department Intersection on Pattaya Sai Sam Road to assist the unconscious driver yesterday afternoon, November 21.
The male driver was found inside his white Mazda SUV, which continued moving from the road onto the footpath because it was still in gear. Fortunately, the car became stuck between a galvanised iron wall and a traffic sign pole, bringing it to a stop.
Rescuers forced their way into the car and administered first aid until the driver regained consciousness. He was identified as a foreign man, although his identity and nationality were not disclosed in the report.
The man appeared confused upon regaining consciousness. Rescuers attempted to transport him to the hospital for further medical examination, but he refused, insisting on returning home to rest.
The cause of his loss of consciousness remains unconfirmed. However, Thai news outlets, including One 31 and Channel 8, speculated that it was related to his congenital condition.
Similar incidents occurred recently. In August, a Thai tuk tuk driver fainted at the wheel in Bangkok, crashing into a parked taxi. The incident was reportedly linked to a congenital condition, although details of his health issues were not made public.
In another incident in Phuket, a Thai man tragically lost his life after fainting and falling from his bicycle while cycling to a hospital. His fainting was attributed to chronic alcoholism. He was on his way to the hospital for regular treatment but died before he could arrive.
In October, a tragic accident in Chon Buri claimed the lives of a Thai woman and her six year old grandson. The collision occurred when another driver fainted and crashed her car into their vehicle.
