A tragic accident in Chai Nat province resulted in the death of a father who sacrificed himself to save his family. Panya Thoengklip, 46, drowned after rescuing his family of four when their pickup truck plunged into a canal. The accident was triggered by a white sedan that cut in front of their vehicle, forcing it off the road.
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Police and rescue teams responded to the accident at 16:40 on 19 April 2026, finding the submerged Nissan Navara in Moo 1, Tieng Tae subdistrict, Sankhaburi district. The vehicle had left more than 10 meters of skid marks before falling into the irrigation canal. Panya, known locally as “Chang Kob,” was found 500 meters downstream.
The accident occurred as the family was heading to buy supplies. Panya’s daughter, Natsuda, described how her father swerved to avoid a collision but lost control, causing the truck to sink. In a heroic act, Panya pushed his family to safety but was swept away by the current and drowned.
Witnesses, including a local farmer, helped rescue the family. Authorities are pursuing the white sedan, which fled the scene. They are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the driver and initiate legal action. Panya’s body has been sent for an autopsy at Sawanpracharak Hospital's forensic institute.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 20 Apr 2026
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