Helmetless sidecar driver dies after big bike wipeout

PHUKET: A helmetless driver of a motorbike with sidecar died after a high-speed collision with a big bike travelling at high speed in Thalang on Saturday evening.

Tah Chat Chai Police arrived at the u-turn south of Kor En curve, notoriously nicknamed by locals as “Death Curve”, on Thepkrasattri Road (map here) just after 5:30pm.

In the middle of the road was a motorbike with an attached sidecar. The helmetless-driver of the saleng was laying on the side of the road with a broken leg and head trauma, said Lt Col Prakob Boonkwan of the Tah Chat Chai Police.

Witnesses told police that the saleng driver, Pradit Portao, 47, had cut across the road to get to the u-turn lane. In doing so, Mr Pradit cut in front of Panya Suksai, 32, who was driving his Kawasaki big bike at high speed.

Unable to brake in time, Mr Panya slammed into Mr Pradit.

Mr Panya, who was wearing a helmet, was found lying near the road median.

“He had serious shoulder and arm injuries,” Lt Col Prakob said.

Mr Pradit was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, and pronounced dead at about 9pm that night.

Mr Panya was taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket for treatment.

Hospital staff confirmed to the Phuket Gazette this morning that Mr Panya is safe, but is still at the hospital receiving further treatment.

— Thawit Bilabdullar