A car veered off the road into an irrigation canal in Kanchanaburi province last night leaving one person missing.
The incident, yesterday, November 13, involved a couple, 57 year old Kanya, who survived the ordeal, and her husband, 69 year old Thongbai who remains unaccounted for.
Police in Tha Rua received a distress call regarding the accident in Nong Rai, Tha Rua, Tha Maka district. Responding swiftly, they coordinated with the Khun Rattanavuth Foundation’s underwater operations team to initiate a search and rescue mission.
On arrival, they found Kanya, drenched and visibly shaken, who had managed to exit the car. She was quickly transported to Makarak Hospital for medical attention.
According to Kanya’s account, she and her husband were driving towards Don Chae Am when the accident occurred. Thongbai was behind the wheel when they encountered an unexpected obstacle—a non-reflective orange traffic post in the middle of the road. The post was hard to see, and in an attempt to avoid it, Thongbai swerved sharply, causing the vehicle to lose control and plunge into the canal.
Both managed to exit the car and were swept by the current for over 700 metres. Thongbai helped Kanya to safety before she ran to seek help from locals. Unfortunately, he was swept away by the strong current before she could return to assist him.
Somsak Sombat, a deputy village headman from the Takram En subdistrict, shared that residents have frequently complained about the hazardous traffic posts in the area.
The posts, often difficult to see, have startled many drivers, resulting in near misses and accidents. Somsak suggested that removing the posts or equipping them with visible lights could prevent further incidents.
Despite three-hour search efforts from 7.30pm, the rescue team could not locate the submerged vehicle or Thongbai’s body. Poor visibility and the swift current of the irrigation canal hindered progress.
The search will resume with a revised strategy as the diving team plans their next steps. Updates will follow as the situation develops, reported KhaoSod.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Thai Examiner highlights the tragic death of a Canadian tourist, spotlighting Thailand’s perilous roads for foreigners due to reckless driving and inadequate safety measures, ranking 9th globally for road fatalities. (read more)
- Bangkok Post reports a tragic accident in Buriram where a driver was thrown from her car upon colliding with a power pole, highlighting the dangers of reckless driving on highways. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news.
Why do non-reflective traffic posts pose such a significant risk to drivers?
Poor visibility can cause drivers to swerve unexpectedly, leading to accidents, as seen in Kanchanaburi.
How can communities effectively advocate for safer road conditions?
Community advocacy can push for changes like removing hazardous obstacles or adding visibility features to prevent accidents.
What if traffic posts were universally equipped with lights? Could this prevent future tragedies?
Illuminated posts could significantly reduce accidents by improving visibility, and prompting safer driving responses.
How do strong currents in canals complicate rescue operations?
Swift currents hinder visibility and navigation, making it challenging to locate and recover submerged objects or individuals.
What role does community input play in shaping road safety measures?
Community feedback can highlight hazards, driving policy changes and infrastructure improvements to enhance safety.
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