3-1-2024 (BANGKOK) Tragedy struck in the early hours of Wednesday when a passenger van, en route from Nakhon Phanom to Bangkok, collided with a roadside tree in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district of Ayutthaya province. The incident resulted in the death of a female passenger and injuries to 15 others.
The crash unfolded on Rojana Road, heading towards Ayutthaya, near the intersection close to a PTT petrol station in tambon Pratuchai, as detailed by Pol Maj Senee Phachob, the investigation chief at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police station. The authorities were alerted to the accident around 5 am.
Swiftly responding to the distress call, police and emergency services reached the scene to find a van with Bangkok licence plates severely damaged after colliding with a tree. The front and roof had crumpled under the force of impact, with bags scattered across the road.
All passengers were trapped inside the van, prompting rescuers to cut open the vehicle to extricate them. Regrettably, a woman seated in the front passenger seat succumbed to her injuries, while the remaining 15 passengers suffered various injuries and were promptly transported to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital.
Investigations revealed that the van had veered off the road, striking a traffic sign post and subsequently colliding with a roadside tree. The left rear tyre was found to have burst, contributing to the accident. Bags and sacks of rice from the van were also scattered due to the force of the crash.
Details regarding the driver’s condition or whereabouts were not disclosed by the police. However, social media posts on the Khaoayutthaya page suggested that the driver survived the crash but fled the scene.
Residents in the vicinity reported being awakened by a loud sound and, upon investigation, discovered the van had collided with a tree.
An injured passenger informed the police that she and the other 15 passengers had hired the van in Nakhon Phanom to return to work in Bangkok following the New Year holiday. The journey commenced at approximately 5 pm on Tuesday from the northeastern province. Recalling the incident, the woman stated that all passengers were asleep when she was abruptly awoken by a loud noise just before the van collided with the tree.
