Eight killed in grisly tollway accident

[Admin]

Eight killed in grisly tollway accident
By THE NATION
2010-12-28
Eight people were killed last night when their passenger van was involved in a crash with a sedan on a tollway section of the Vibhavadi Rangsit highway

Seven other passengers trapped inside the van - Number Tor 11827 with 13-795 BKK licence plate - were wounded and admitted to the nearby Vibhavadi hospital.

Some of the bodies of the victims, who were flung out of the van by the impact of the crash, were seen hanging from a pedestrian flyover, while bodies were recovered from a canal adjacent to the nearby Kasetsart University.

Initial police reports said the sedan, a white Honda Civic with Dor Chada Wor Wan 8761 BKK licence plate, rammed the back of the van, sending it crashing into a streetlight pole on the inbound elevated tollway. The eight victims were flung out from a five-metre height.

The accident prompted police to close traffic on frontage roads, which subsequently led to heavy traffic congestion. The dead included five male adults and three female adults. The identities of those killed and injured were not available at press time.

[nookiebear]

The way the idiots drive nothing surprises me

[boloa]

The way the idiots drive nothing surprises me

We had a Thread about driving in Thailand on another Forum and I did quite a lot of research on driving in Thailand and in other parts of the world. Thailand is for better at driving when you look at the statistics compared with other places in the world ,so easy to  for the Thai basher's to come on here and complain about the driving in Thailand.I would suggest you go and drive in Mexico or Italy and then you will find the Thais are not as bad as you think.
Coming back to the OP,always sad when people die in accidents ,especially at this time of year,what ever their race.!!

[PBarnfeather]

I agree that there are worse places to drive but I still think Thailand needs a nationwide, mandatory driving school -- age range 8 to 80, Maybe include farang.

[nookiebear]

The way the idiots drive nothing surprises me

We had a Thread about driving in Thailand on another Forum and I did quite a lot of research on driving in Thailand and in other parts of the world. Thailand is for better at driving when you look at the statistics compared with other places in the world ,so easy to  for the Thai basher's to come on here and complain about the driving in Thailand.I would suggest you go and drive in Mexico or Italy and then you will find the Thais are not as bad as you think.
Coming back to the OP,always sad when people die in accidents ,especially at this time of year,what ever their race.!!

They are among many countries I have driven in & I still think Thailand rates worse than either Mexico or Italy

[Admin]

Driver of sedan was a 16-year old girl
By The Nation
2010-12-29

Police say a 16yearold girl, a minor, was driving the sedan that collided with a passenger van in a horror road accident on an elevated tollway section of the Vibhavadi Rangsit highway on Monday night, killing eight people and injuring six others.

They said persons of that age were not entitled to a driver's licence, nor could they be fully subject to criminal and civil liability for deaths and damage.

Police have not yet charged the unidentified girl, and are compiling more evidence in the case. Footage from traffic cameras shows a brief moment in the accident - a burst at the point of impact from the white Honda Civic she was driving for about 70 metres to standstill - before the van veered off the lane, and out of camera view.

Case investigator Pol LtColonel Chatchai Iamong, of Vibhavadi police station said there would be more questioning of all seven survivors, including the sedan's driver, after they recovered sufficiently from their injuries.

The female driver of the van, Naruemol Pitathanang, was among the dead.

A survivor, Wisarut Phollasit, said he fell asleep at the start of the van's trip at the Big C Chaeng Wattana mall, and woke up to feel a hard bump at the back of the van before it began to spin. He was dazed but regained consciousness before crawling out of the smashed vehicle and being taken to hospital.

The Department of Land Transport proposed a regulation requiring all seats in passenger vans be installed with seat belts, which must be fastened before they begin a run.

The Cabinet yesterday discussed the accident, and a possible law requiring all public transport vehicles to be installed with GPSenabled tracking devices, to trace their routes and record speeds of vehicles, for the sake of crime prevention and easier investigation into accidents.

[Admin]

TOLLWAY TRAGEDY
What went wrong?
By Mayuree Sukyingchaorenwong
Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation
2010-12-30

Investigation not conclusive as experts voice conflicting opinions about Monday

Things remained quite inconclusive as experts appeared to contradict one another yesterday over the Monday night smash-up on the elevated tollway section of Vibhavadi-Rangsit Highway, which killed eight people and injured six others.

The director of the Traffic and Transport Development and Research Centre, Dr Tawatchai Laosirihongthong, who led the investigation, told the Nation Channel's morning news programme yesterday that he had some new information:

1. The van showed no trace of being hit by the sedan;
2. The sedan has red paint on its side, suggesting that a third vehicle was involved in the accident; and
3. The van's door remained closed because the latch was twisted, hence it could not have slid open, suggesting the passengers flew through the shattered windows.

Meanwhile Maj-General Panu Kerdlarppol, deputy Metropolitan Police chief responsible for traffic, said the catastrophe most likely stemmed from reckless driving, because security-camera footage showed the sedan tailing the van, and it obviously couldn't brake in time when it was in trouble.

He said the collision impact appeared to be small, but it forced the van to lose control and start spinning, which made the door slide open and fling some passengers out to their death. He said the sedan was travelling far too close to the van, despite vehicles being required by law to keep a distance from other vehicles so they can brake appropriately.

He said the sedan driver had no licence.

Sattrawut Ponboon of the Asian Institute of Technology's Thailand Accident Research Centre said it had not determined the cause of the accident and was collecting evidence. Initial security-camera footage shows that the accident took place when the sedan was behind the van, before it lost control and started spinning, hitting a concrete wall and an electricity pole, and with no seat belts or airbags, the passengers were flung out. Yet it cannot be concluded how the accident took place, he said.

Meanwhile, another road-accident researcher who investigated the scene as well as the vehicles, and asked not to be named, said there was no evidence suggesting that a third car had been involved. The researcher also said tyre traces showed that both vehicles started spinning and maybe hit each other, the wall or the pole several times before overturning. The van had seat belts on all its seats.

Also, the researcher said security footage showed the van travelling in the centre lane with the sedan tailing close behind before hitting it, causing both vehicles to start spinning and then overturning. The researcher said key evidence was in the camera footage and the testimony of the sedan driver - provided it was double-checked by the police. If the sedan driver's testimony is in line with security-camera footage and other evidence, then it will be known what really caused this horrific accident, the researcher said.

Wisarut Bholsithi, research assistant at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre, was one of the injured and is being treated at Vibhavadi Hospital. He suffered injuries on his head, forehead and legs and bad bruises and has trouble breathing.

The victim recounted that he was on his way home to Chaeng Wattana from his office in Pathum Thani's Rangsit district.

"I was asleep and then I heard a loud bang, before the van started spinning. I saw many of the seats empty as I struggled to get out of the wreckage. Then I saw some injured passengers on the road and realised why the seats were empty."

He said he borrowed a rescue worker's mobile phone to inform his mother of his whereabouts. "I will never be able to forget what happened."

Wisarut said he was feeling better and expected to spend New Year's Day at home. "After this near-death experience, I will make merit on January 1 and pray that the next year is a good one."

[Admin]

24 killed on first day of 'Dangerous Seven Days'
TNA 2010-12-30

BANGKOK, Dec 30 - Twenty-four people were killed and 425 were wounded in nearly 400 road accidents on the first day of Thailand's "Dangerous Seven Days" with past indicators showing that the major cause of accidents is driving under influence of alcohol, said a senior official of Transport Ministry on Thursday.

Deputy Transport Minister Sorayut Petchtrakul said the number of accidents on the first day of the high risk period (Dec 29 through Jan 4), was at 393, 12.28 per cent lower than that of the previous year.

In 2009, he said 40 people were killed and 425 were injured in 448 accidents on the first day of the campaign.

Mr Sorayut said that drunk driving is the major cause of accidents, following by high speed driving exceeding the legal limit. Most accidents involved motorcycles and occurred between 4pm and 8pm.

Krabi, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phetchaburi, Lop Buri and Sa Kaeo provinces recorded the highest death toll in road accidents, with two deaths in each province.

The vice minister said that 2,501 checkpoints have been set up across the country, with 65,494 personnel being deployed. Over half a million vehicles -- 526,610 -- have so far have passed through the inspection process at the checkpoints.

Legal action has been taken against 60,497 people for violating traffic rules -- 19,260 for riding motorcycle without helmets and 18,916 for driving without licences, stated Mr Sorayut.

Mr Sorayut said that traffic congestion is expected in every main route heading to other regions Thursday as it is the last working day before the long festive holiday weekend.

He said concerned security agencies have been instructed to closely monitor drunken driving, illegal sales of beverages during the banned time, and to buyers under age 20.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong on Thursday warned drivers to be cautious over possible accidents due to poor visibility as temperatures are dropping and thick fog is expected in the northern region during this period.

He said roads may be slippery in some provinces of the southern region, particularly Phatthalung, due to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, Transport Co Ltd Managing Director Wutthichart Kalayanamitr said the state enterprise expected over 200,000 passengers to depart from Mo Chit Bus Terminal Thursday and 7,000 buses have been prepared to facilitate travellers planning to leave Bangkok for provinces throughout the kingdom.

Mr Wutthichart said today will be the most crowded for passengers at the terminals during the holiday period. Seven thousand buses can carry over 300,000 people who will go to their home towns to celebrate the New Year with their families.

On Wednesday evening, 220,000 people returned to their provinces from Mo Chit terminal, said Mr Wutthichart, expressing confidence that passengers will not be stranded at the terminals due to insufficient availability of vehicles. (MCOT online news)

[Admin]

TOLLWAY HORROR
Teen involved in fatal crash stressed out : mum
By The Nation
2010-12-31


The 16yearold girl blamed for the fatal tollway accident on Monday has become so stressed out that she asked why she did not die, her mother said yesterday.

"Why don't they take my life? Why don't I just die?" the girl was quoted as saying.

The girl is being treated for injuries at an unspecified hospital. It was the third hospital she went to for treatment after angry threats prompted her family to move her twice to a new medical facility.

"There was an intrusion into her room at a hospital," the mother, Laddawan Thephassadin na Ayutthaya, told the "Chao Kao Khon Kon Kao Chao" TV programme.

The Thephassadin na Ayutthaya family yesterday issued a statement expressing deep condolences over the people killed and injured in the accident.

The accident, which took place after a van brushed the girl's Civic car, killed nine people and injured six others.

Many people were enraged after seeing the 16yearold girl post her comments on a socialnetworking site right after the accident.

To many, her comments seem to show no repentance.

"We would like to apologise to all the injured and killed victims and their families," Laddawan said yesterday.

She said an aunt of the girl would soon attend the funerals of the dead victims and visit the injured at hospitals.

"Our family is now suffering. We are shocked and saddened that our daughter was involved in the fatal accident. We have spent sleepless nights," Laddawan said.

She said the situation was almost too much to bear when her family members' telephone numbers and the daughter's picture were published on Facebook.

"Verbal abuse and threats have since flooded in," the mother said.

Laddawan said she understood the public sentiment. However, she explained that her daughter used her BlackBerry to chat with her friend because the Civic belonged to the friend.

"She was not playing with the device. She sought information on the car's insurance number," Laddawan said.

She said her daughter indeed drove at high speed but it was the van that tried to move into the lane she was using.

"When she signalled the light to ask for the way and [her intentions] with her lights, the van moved back to its lane. She tried to speed up but the van came back too fast. That's how the accident took place," the mother insisted.

She urged police to check all security cameras on the tollway to find out the truth.

"We are ready to let her undergo the judicial process," Laddawan said. She added that the prestigious surname did not mean her family had any influence or any special power to manipulate the case.

Also, the mother denied rumours that her daughter had fled to a foreign country.

"We cannot escape the consequences of our actions," she said.

Police have summonsed the girl to report to them at noon on January 5. She will be charged with reckless driving causing deaths and injuries, and driving without a licence.

If convicted of the first offence, she will face a jail term of up to 10 years and/or a maximum fine of Bt50,000.

"When she comes, we will arrange the negotiation sessions between her and the damaged parties too," Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner MajGeneral Amnuay Nimmano said.

If the girl fails to show up next Wednesday, police will seek an arrest warrant for her, he said.

Lawyers Council of Thailand chairman Sak Korsaengrueng said his organisation was ready to help the accident victims is asked to do so.

"The offender should be punished and forced to pay compensation," he said.

The council's secretarygeneral Wanchai Sornsiri believed the parents of the girl could be held responsible too because they failed to prevent their daughter from causing an illegal act.

"The parents may face both criminal and civil actions," he said.

Currently, each killed victim receives Bt200,000 in initial assistance from two insurance firms while each injured victim receives Bt150,000.

The Civic sedan's insurer may offer up to Bt1 million compensation for each death.

[TBWG]

The Boss Lady seems to think that the 16 year old girl is resident with her family in the USA and is here on holiday.

S'pose hence the fleeing country quote!


TBWG

[nookiebear]

The Boss Lady seems to think that the 16 year old girl is resident with her family in the USA and is here on holiday.

S'pose hence the fleeing country quote!


TBWG

Thais makes you vomit,,,,,,,,,The driver was under age driving, kills 9 people,,,,,Give the max sentence & max fine

[boloa]

She appears to come from a Hi-so Family that has the right name and friends in high place's ...........it will all be swept under the carpet for sure and the other drive will be blamed......200 Baht for no licence I would imagine !!!!! 

[nookiebear]

She appears to come from a Hi-so Family that has the right name and friends in high place's ...........it will all be swept under the carpet for sure and the other drive will be blamed......200 Baht for no licence I would imagine !!!!!

I agree with you about the Hi SO Family ...BUT i think it has hit the headlines a bit hard & at the wrong time of year to be 'swept under the carpet'

[Admin]

The family of the victims made it clearly on news they are afraid the case will be wiped under the carpet and solved 'by money' with the BIB.
This action may made the news greater and got the right expossure I believe it will be hard to solve it in a zigzag way.

[nookiebear]

The family of the victims made it clearly on news they are afraid the case will be wiped under the carpet and solved 'by money' with the BIB.
This action may made the news greater and got the right expossure I believe it will be hard to solve it in a zigzag way.

It will be interesting to follow this case