Belgian, 67, killed in Patong Hill crash

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Patong Police arrived to find the man’s body and motorbike in the middle of the road, while traffic drove past as normal. Photo: Patong Police

 

PHUKET: Police have yet to confirm what caused an accident on Patong Hill last night that resulted in a 67-year-old Belgian man being killed as he descended the steep hill into Patong on a motorcycle.

 

Officers from the Patong Police were called to scene at 7:30pm.

 

Patong Police Deputy Inspector Lt Col Jessada Saengsuree and fellow officers arrived along with rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation to find the body of the man, identified as Walther J.M. De Belder, 67, from Belgium, lying in the middle of the road, metres from the Honda MSX motorcycle he was riding.

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/belgian-67-killed-in-patong-hill-crash-68562.php#1f8vqmiuG4QgCTW0.99 

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-09-08

RIP dude whatever happened. As an aside, I have given up driving once dark here. Bad enough during the day, but at night these locals are out-of-control.

No mention if he was wearing a helmet or not.  After reading the article, I would dare to venture that the Nissan car traveling down the hill straightened out the turn forcing the Belgian guy towards the center divider where the truck coming up the hill was also straightening out the turn.  That hill is dangerous just due to the fact that no one stays in their lanes.  If you don't know that 99.9% of the traffic does this, it can lead to a bad outcome.  Condolences to this guy's family. 

16 minutes ago, steelepulse said:

No mention if he was wearing a helmet or not.  After reading the article, I would dare to venture that the Nissan car traveling down the hill straightened out the turn forcing the Belgian guy towards the center divider where the truck coming up the hill was also straightening out the turn.  That hill is dangerous just due to the fact that no one stays in their lanes.  If you don't know that 99.9% of the traffic does this, it can lead to a bad outcome.  Condolences to this guy's family. 

 

I see a badly damaged helmet in one of  the news reports. A lot of blood trail. Maybe squished head. 

Seriously doubt a 67 year old was driving anyway other than sensibly, especially at that time of the night. Would love to see camera footage. I imagine he was driving normally, slowly and safely. Pickup truck was probably not in his lane, driving too fast and ploughed into the poor chap on the bike. All of these articles state the driver "lost control"....what a load of bullshit. We all see what happens all day everyday, Terrible, terrible Thai drivers, most with no license and have never taken a driving test or read a book on driving in their lives. Too dangerous at night, if you have to drive at night,best to drive slow as hell and expect the very worst, wear a go pro stuck to top of your helmet

1 hour ago, Rossworth1 said:

Seriously doubt a 67 year old was driving anyway other than sensibly, especially at that time of the night. Would love to see camera footage. I imagine he was driving normally, slowly and safely. Pickup truck was probably not in his lane, driving too fast and ploughed into the poor chap on the bike. All of these articles state the driver "lost control"....what a load of bullshit. We all see what happens all day everyday, Terrible, terrible Thai drivers, most with no license and have never taken a driving test or read a book on driving in their lives. Too dangerous at night, if you have to drive at night,best to drive slow as hell and expect the very worst, wear a go pro stuck to top of your helmet

67 year old's don't drink and drive?

 

I'm not saying he was, but your presumption is nonsense.

Given the history of accidents at this hill, it becomes a criminal negligence that the authorities haven't yet taken drastic measures to safeguard this roadway. Do a complete realignment or alternate bypass route, add flood lights, limited road access (local only) or closure hours, etc. whatever it takes to to protect the public.

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

67 year old's don't drink and drive?

 

I'm not saying he was, but your presumption is nonsense.

Agree , I thought Rossworth 1 was using the sarcasm post to start with.

a concrete divider down the middle of the road would help a lot

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Given the history of accidents at this hill, it becomes a criminal negligence that the authorities haven't yet taken drastic measures to safeguard this roadway. Do a complete realignment or alternate bypass route, add flood lights, limited road access (local only) or closure hours, etc. whatever it takes to to protect the public.

 

Tunnel being planned ? 

 

Various plans to limit heavy vehicle use at peak times. Never really implemented.

Fact is its a challenging hill (both ways in or out of Patong) and made very dangerous by some of the idiots travelling over it (and they come in all shapes sizes - both Thai and other nationalities) same as the vehicles being all sorts of things going over it.

 

Probably be a good chance someone somewhere will have dashcam footage of the accident that has caused this poor mans demise.

 

An MSX is not the most common ride or comfortable for an older guy but who knows what has happened other than someone has died

 

R I P

Given the history of accidents at this hill, it becomes a criminal negligence that the authorities haven't yet taken drastic measures to safeguard this roadway. Do a complete realignment or alternate bypass route, add flood lights, limited road access (local only) or closure hours, etc. whatever it takes to to protect the public.

Sadly they don't care. Happens everyday all over Thailand. Why should they change something. In their opinion it's karma...

15 hours ago, Rossworth1 said:

Seriously doubt a 67 year old was driving anyway other than sensibly, especially at that time of the night. Would love to see camera footage. I imagine he was driving normally, slowly and safely. Pickup truck was probably not in his lane, driving too fast and ploughed into the poor chap on the bike. All of these articles state the driver "lost control"....what a load of bullshit. We all see what happens all day everyday, Terrible, terrible Thai drivers, most with no license and have never taken a driving test or read a book on driving in their lives. Too dangerous at night, if you have to drive at night,best to drive slow as hell and expect the very worst, wear a go pro stuck to top of your helmet

You are making assumptions that you know nothing about. Tell me how you know the deceased was driving safely, because he was a european.

A 67 year old with a bike in Thailand? 

Sounds like male.menopause to me.

Some never learn until it is too late.

Sad.

2 minutes ago, africasiaeuro said:

A 67 year old with a bike in Thailand? 

Sounds like male.menopause to me.

Some never learn until it is too late.

Sad.

If you knew what a Honda MSX is, you would know your comment is ridiculous and quite nasty.