Police shake heads as mass pile-up closes road at accident blackspot

Three separate accidents closed a notorious section of highway 304 from Chachoengsao to Kabin Buri on Tuesday morning, as unseasonal rain left the road surface slippery.
The accidents occurred in Muang Chachoengsao, on the 5-kilometre stretch from 11th Infantry Division base intersection. 
After a sudden downpour at 7.40am, a pickup truck skidded into a ditch under the railway bridge in front of Thadrat Charoen Maneerit Temple, while 1.5km away a six-wheeler also careered into the ditch. No injuries were reported.

However, the slippery surface had another surprise in store for drivers, when an empty school bus slammed on the brakes after losing control between Muang Chachoengsao and Bang Khla. Drivers behind were unable to stop in time, causing a mass pile-up of 15 vehicles including a 10-wheeler, 6-wheeler truck, pick-up trucks and passenger cars. Two people were injured – driver and passenger in a pick-up.

Traffic police said many accidents had occurred on this section of the road, especially following heavy rain. Relevant officials had been informed about the slippery road, but no solution or maintenance plan had been offered.
The road was reopened at around 10am after the wreckage had been cleared.