Video: One killed, three injured in Phuket multiple-vehicle crash

PHUKET: Police are blaming a new set of traffic lights for a high-speed crash that killed one motorcyclist and injured three others on Thepkrasattri Road this morning.

Police arrived at the scene, at the old airport junction north of Blue Canyon Country Club, at about 11:45am to find a 10-wheeled truck and a van overturned on the shoulder of the road next to a motorcycle, as well as two other damaged vehicles – a Honda SUV and a metered taxi – in the street.

“CCTV footage in the area shows a 10-wheeled truck in the northbound lane approaching the intersection at high speed and slamming into a van waiting there at the red light,” Lt Col Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police told the Phuket Gazette.

“The truck and van both flipped onto their sides and slid together across the southbound lane, hitting two motorbikes and two cars, before coming to a stop on the side of the road.”

Uthit Saeyang, 34, on a Honda motorcycle, was killed in the collision. Three other people suffered minor injuries and were sent to Thalang Hospital.

“We believe Prasit Srisomut, 43, the truck driver, did not know that the traffic lights were there, as they were installed only three days ago, and did not see them as he came up to the junction,” Col Thanorm said.

“Regardless, he will be charged for reckless driving causing property damage and death.”

Mr Prasit was taken to Tah Chat Chai Police Station for further questioning.

— Thawit Bilabdullar