Pathum thani: A sedan carrying illegal workers lost control and crashed into a barrier on the new Ratchaphruek Road (346), resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to seven others. It is suspected that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident took place at 5:10 a.m. on the new Ratchaphruek Road (346) heading towards Rangsit, in the Ban Chang Subdistrict of Mueang Pathum Thani District. Police from Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station, along with volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, responded to the scene with cutting and spreading equipment to rescue those trapped inside the black multi-purpose sedan, which bore Samut Prakan license plates.
Upon arrival, authorities found that the sedan had lost control, climbed the barrier, and flipped onto its side on the median strip. Three individuals were trapped inside, including the driver and a female passenger in the front seat. Another passenger was critically injured and required CPR from rescue workers. Six additional people sustained injuries and were transported to Pathum Thani Hospital for treatment.
Further investigations revealed that all the occupants were Myanmar nationals who could not speak Thai. Reports suggest they were en route to Thai Market. The Pathum Thani City Police are collaborating with immigration officers to determine whether this incident involved illegal immigration and whether a Thai individual aided in the illegal entry of these immigrants.
The presumed cause of the accident includes the driver potentially falling asleep or unfamiliarity with the route. Compounding these issues, non-functional street lights have left the area dark, contributing to frequent accidents in the region.