Dump truck careers off Patong Hill

PATONG: A dump truck loaded with sand swerved off a tight bend on Patong Hill at about 3 pm yesterday after its brakes failed. No one was hurt. The driver, Soontorn Chaichana, told the Gazette, “I noticed the brakes starting to fade just past the Chinese shrine [at the top of the hill]. “Then, just at the last curve, about 200 meters before Wat Suwankiriwong, the brakes failed completely. So, I steered the truck away from the cars in front of me and ran it off the road. I went through the guard rail and hit an advertising billboard.” After the accident, Soontorn climbed out of the truck, which was now lying on its side, and phoned friends for help. Two arrived soon after, both driving backhoes. By 5 pm, the trio had managed to empty the sand out of the truck and put it back on its wheels. At that point the police arrived at the scene. Pol Lt Serm Kwannimit, of Kathu Police Station, told that the Gazette that Soontorn admitted that the truck’s brakes were in poor condition and was booked for reckless driving. The truck was towed away by Soonthorn’s friends.