Train kills 72-year-old on Yala railway bridge

A 72-year-old man was killed after being struck by a freight train on a railway bridge in Yala province while reportedly taking a shortcut to a wedding.

The accident happened at 10.14am on September 20 on the Black Bridge, which links Ban Bado and Ban Thung Riang in Moo 3, Yupo subdistrict, Mueang Yala district.

Police identified the victim as Wa Bideng, 72. He suffered severe injuries caused by the impact.

Freight train was travelling to Sungai Kolok

Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattakhet Chanaphon, superintendent of Tase police station, received the report that freight train No. 985, travelling from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok, had hit a person on the bridge.

Investigators and relevant officials went to the scene to examine the incident. Officers said they will review CCTV footage and question the train driver as part of the legal process.

Relatives told police that Wa Bideng had been mentally disabled from birth and lived with his family, with his younger brother acting as his carer.

Family accepts death was an accident

Police believe the man was heading to a wedding in Ban Thung Riang when he chose to walk across the railway bridge rather than use the normal road route.

The train arrived while he was on the bridge and he was unable to get out of its path in time, leading to the fatal collision.

Lt Col Nattakhet said the family did not question the cause of death, accepting that it was an unavoidable accident.

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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20 September 2026