Young couple killed in Phuket horror smash

RASSADA, PHUKET: An 18-wheel truck reversing on the bypass road last night caused a car to hit a young couple’s motorbike at high speed, killing them both.

Witthaya Kwianyon, 22, and his 18-year-old girlfriend Panatda Butrasan were killed instantly after their bike lost its balance and collided with the truck.

The car, driven by 40-year-old Korean national Lee Joong Park, crossed over the median strip and smashed into another car before coming to rest upside down.

Mr Park survived the accident.

As is common in Thailand, the driver of the truck fled the scene. Police say they will prosecute him – if they can find him.

Duty Officer Thada Sodarak of Phuket City Police received a report of the accident around 8:40pm.

At the scene, police and Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation workers found the 18-wheeler blocking part of the southbound lane of the bypass road opposite Phuket Bypass Wood Trading, around two kilometers north of Tesco Lotus.

Beneath the truck was a smashed Yamaha Fino.

Between the front wheels was the body of Mr Witthaya, listed as a resident of Kathu.

He suffered massive head trauma from the impact.

About 50 meters away was the body of Miss Panatda, who also lived in Kathu.

Her limbs and neck were broken and she suffered a massive facial injury.

Rescue workers took the bodies to Vachira Phuket Hospital for examination.

On the northbound lane was a car with a crushed hood. Nearby was Mr Park’s car, which was upside down.

Mr Park, wounded and still inside, was rushed to hospital by rescue workers.

Witnesses told police the 18-wheeler had been moving backwards and forwards on the road.

Mr Park’s vehicle hit the back of the couple’s motorbike as both parties swerved at high speed to avoid the truck, they said.

Mr Witthaya was still on the bike when it slid under the truck, while Miss Panatda came off and was knocked along the road by Mr Park’s car.

Lt Thada said he would contact the driver’s company to find and prosecute him for careless driving causing death.

Mr Park would also be questioned, he said.