Bangkok: A student driving a sedan crashed into 12 electric poles, knocking them down and damaging three passing cars at the curve of Kanchanaphisek Road and Petchkasem Road. The accident resulted in a power outage affecting 150 households. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority is working to restore power and expects to have it back to normal by this evening.
According to Thai News Agency, approximately 50 Metropolitan Electricity Authority officials, along with more than 10 forklifts, cutting machines, and excavators, are urgently dismantling and repairing a 12-meter, 24,000-volt electric pole at the accident site. The crash occurred when the sedan, traveling at high speed, collided with electric pole number 473 in the middle of the curve, causing it to collapse and drag down neighboring poles within a 200-meter radius.
Pol Lt Col Thanasak Suwanwong, Deputy Inspector of Traffic at Phetkasem Metropolitan Police Station, reported that the driver, who was on his way to a nearby university, lost control of the car at the curve. The driver sustained a hand injury and was taken to the hospital. There was no evidence of intoxication. Three cars were damaged, and the owners have filed records for compensation discussions. Despite the accident, traffic remained relatively normal due to the holiday, with expectations of normal traffic resuming in 4-5 hours.
A representative from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority revealed that 12-meter concrete electric poles and high-voltage wires had fallen, disrupting power to approximately 150 households. Officials are working to fix the broken poles and restore electricity, with some power expected to return by the evening and full restoration by night. Once repairs are complete, the authority plans to file a complaint against the driver. It was noted that the driver had insurance, but damage assessments are pending.
Ms. Hathairat, a homeowner near the crash site, described hearing a loud bang followed by the sound of a transformer exploding and poles breaking. She witnessed the accident and noted the damage to two passing cars and the minor injury to the sedan driver.