A catastrophic crash on Thailand’s Motorway Route 7 has claimed the lives of eight people, including several children, after a trailer truck slammed into a parked SUV late Thursday night.
The accident occurred around 10pm on 24 April near a temporary rest area just before the Lat Krabang toll gate in Samut Prakan province, reported Bangkok Post.
The crash occurred in the outbound lanes of the motorway, near kilometre marker 23+300, close to the Lat Krabang toll booths.
Highway police reported that the white Chevrolet Captiva SUV had pulled into the emergency lane when it was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler Isuzu truck.
The force of the impact crushed the SUV between the 18-wheeler and a 10-wheeler Isuzu truck carrying over 30 tonnes of crude oil that was already parked in front.
Victims and Survivors
Rescue teams used hydraulic cutting tools to retrieve the bodies of the eight victims from the mangled vehicle.
Among the deceased were two girls, approximately two to three years old, a boy around 10 years old, four women, including two middle-aged women, and a man who was in the driver’s seat.
Two female passengers — a 12-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman — were thrown from the vehicle during the impact and survived with serious injuries. They were taken to Chularat 9 Airport Hospital for treatment.
The 62-year-old driver of the truck that caused the collision was also injured and taken to the hospital. Police stated he would undergo a blood alcohol test and further questioning as part of the investigation.
Circumstances of the Tragedy
Investigators revealed that the SUV had been travelling from Bangkok to Rayong to visit relatives when the driver pulled into the designated emergency stop area so a passenger could retrieve a diaper for a child.
Moments after stopping, the 18-wheeler crashed into the back of the stationary vehicle at high speed.
The driver of the front trailer, a 51-year-old man, told police he had just parked to rest when he heard a loud crash behind him. He claimed he hadn’t noticed the SUV pull up behind his vehicle.
Ongoing Investigation
The bodies of the eight victims have been transferred to Ramathibodi Hospital’s forensic institute in Samut Prakan.
Authorities are contacting the families to coordinate funeral arrangements while police continue their investigation to establish liability and determine whether charges will be filed.
Thai authorities have appealed for the families of those involved to contact them urgently as the investigation proceeds.
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