Van crash claims six lives, seven injured
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Six people were killed and seven injured when a speeding van crashed into a trailer in Samut Prakarn early yesterday.
One of the victims, Wantaya Klinhom, burned to death when the van caught fire as rescue workers tired to pull her out of the wreckage.
“We were about to help her,” Napat Klomkliang, a member of the Ruamkatunyu Foundation, said.
Failing to control the blaze, rescue workers were forced to call the fire department, which took up to two hours to put out the fire.
The accident took place at about 7am on the BangkokChon Buri motorway in Samut Prakan’s Bang Bo district. The van, which is owned by a transport firm, ran from Mor Chit Bus Terminal and Chachoengsao.
Those killed at the scene included Wantaya, Paitoon Chaweewong, Song Khamjanta, Sureeporn Jarerndee and an unidentified woman. The sixth victim, Poonsap Chaweewong, succumbed to injuries at Chularat 11 Hospital.
The hospital’s director Dr Chutima Pincharoern said the seven injured passengers were being treated at her facility, but that Jaroon Petchnadee, 23, was in a critical condition.
“Others have broken bones and are awaiting surgery,” Chutima said.
Pol LtColonel Phirasak Supattanakul, 66, said the Chachoensaobound van was going at great speed and suddenly hit the trailer.
“All the people I had spoken to in the van have died,” he said sadly.
Pol LtColonel Suriyan Winijmongtri, an investigator with the Highway Police Division 8, said the driver had fled the scene.
