Bike rider killed in truck crash

KATHU, PHUKET: A man was killed on Sunday morning after his motorbike collided with a 10-wheel truck.

Mr Aroon Nopprat, 53, died instantly after his head was crushed under the truck’s wheels.

When police arrived at the scene, the newly resurfaced bend of Wichit Songkhram Road between Makro and Ketho Temple in Kathu, the truck driver was nowhere to be seen.

Mr Aroon’s body was found 70 meters away from his Honda Wave motorcycle.

Initial investigation suggested the Isuzu truck, which was transporting ice, smashed into Mr Aroon’s bike at high speed from behind.

Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation workers took his body to Vachira Hospital for examination.

Later the same day the truck driver, Wicharn Tengtharn, 32, surrendered himself at Tung Tong Police Station.

Mr Wicharn claimed Mr Aroon approached the truck from behind, crashing into its left-rear side before Mr Wicharn could swerve out the way.

Police are charging Mr Wicharn with causing death by careless driving.

He denies the charges.

Fleeing the scene of a road accident is not an unusual practice in Thailand.

— Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn