Sa Kaeo: Brit, 71, living in Thailand killed while making U-Turn on motorcycle

[webfact]

Sa Kaeo: Brit, 71, living in Thailand killed while making U-Turn on motorcycle

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media has reported that a 71 year old British man on a motorcycle died after a collision with a car at a U-turn in Sa Kaeo province on Monday. 

 

The man was named as David Denis (surname withheld) who lived nearby with his Thai family. 

 

Wang Nam Yen police and foundation rescue staff called to the scene on Route 317 (Sa Kaeo to Chanthaburi Road) found a Toyota Vios smashed into signage. 

 

Some way away was a white Honda motorcycle on its side. There were bloodstains on the road. 

 

77kaoded said that the victim was making a U-turn when he was clipped. 

 

CPR was given at the scene and the man was taken to hospital but died thereafter. 

 

An autopsy has been ordered and the British Embassy has been informed. 

 

An investigation is underway. The accident happened at the Wat Wang Daeng U-turn. 

 

A funeral is expected to be held locally. 

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

 

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[SAFETY FIRST]

Geeze, these news bulletins are becoming a monthly thing

 

Elderly foreigner killed while making a U-Turn

 

I have some elderly friends that ride, it surprises me how competent they are on the roads at their age. 

Saying that Id say there are around 1 to 2 percent of the elderly that can do this, ride competently on Thai roads.

The rest of you elderly for the sake of your family and friends dont ride a motorbike on Thai roads, it a very selfish thing to do for all involved when your riding skills are lacking and a death happens. 

There are many people that suffer, family, friends and 3rd party involved in the accident.

[Vacuum]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

77kaoded said that the victim was making a U-turn when he was clipped.

From behind or left?

[Wiggy]

53 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

From behind or left?

Could be from behind, left, right, above, or below in this country.

[scubascuba3]

A U-turn is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres but I've seen farang do it without looking both ways

[Michael Hare]

I agree about the elderly driving on motorbikes on Thai roads. My 72 year old friend even has difficulty walking and when he drives his motorbike he wobbles all over the place. Last year, a dog ran out between parked cars and he hit the dog and ended up on the concrete road with cuts and bruises. He was lucky. Next time maybe not.

[Jane Dough]

I'd put more trust in an experienced 70 year old motorcyclist than an 18 year old. 

 

Rooster

[legend49]

33 minutes ago, Wiggy said:

Could be from behind, left, right, above, or below in this country.

Doesnt matter , other party was not competent and the farang pays the price.

[Happy Grumpy]

Death-turns. 

[SymS]

U-turns are super dangerous. Roundabouts are much safer, but I understand it's not always possible, and there are associated costs with updating the infrastructure.

[spidermike007]

Skill and awareness matter alot. You have to drive here with eyes in all directions and as if your life truly depended upon your care and ability to be very conscious at all times. Yet even then, you have alot of other drivers with very little skill and exercising very little caution. Driving anything here is very dangerous. Be aware of that at all times. 

[Wiggy]

27 minutes ago, legend49 said:

Doesnt matter , other party was not competent and the farang pays the price.

Possibly, but how do we know it wasn't the Brit's fault? He may have pulled across in front of the car to do the u-turn and got clipped on the right hand side.

[natway09]

Motorcycles in Thailand. Not for me. Right or wrong the poor fella is dead.

 

[john terry1001]

25 minutes ago, SymS said:

U-turns are super dangerous. Roundabouts are much safer, but I understand it's not always possible, and there are associated costs with updating the infrastructure.

Almost all Thais don't understand how to use roundabouts, they just treat them as crossroads. The carnage would multiply massively  if u-turns were replaced by them.

 

There are 2-3 in the Chonburi area. Just come and watch for a mere ten minutes if you don't believe me. And they are being used by people who know they are there. 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by john terry1001

[Badrabbit]

I was hit on a U turn at night by a speeding motorbike going over 80kph(I was on my motorbike, I'm very lucky to be alive, I had a smashed shoulder and road rash down my left side including a hole in my ankle, he had no injuries! I never use U turns now.

I had to pay for his bike and him being off work, apparently as he was travelling straight it was my fault for u turning.

[Guest]

I generally do not go for the whole "RIP" thing ... but have to say, this made me quite sad for him and his family.  He was "living the dream" and clearly active in life.  Sorry to see this ... accidents happen ... and life goes on ... but taking a moment to say "Best of luck on the next go round Mate" .. yeah ... I am ok with that.

[howbri]

I'm 77 and NEVER get on a motorbike, not even a taxi. I'll walk first.

[Tropposurfer]

Poor bloke. RIP. Sad for his missus and family too. Says he was "clipped" ? ... looking at the bike there is appears no substantial damage to it. Makes me think the impact was slight, yet enough to bring him off. Was he wearing a good helmet I wonder? ... if not was his mortal injury from his head hitting the road? If so then his death may well have been avoidable.

Any falangs reading this who don't wear helmets, or ride with <deleted> ones, or any sort that don't fit properly, or no chin strap properly adjusted then you pay the risk price of being in the inevitable lottery to pay the ultimate price. 

It's not cool, not smart, not freedom, not cost effective to ride a bike in any country (let alone this one!) without a very good helmet. Wake up all you folks who don't wear one and go get one (unless of course you have a latent death wish, caring so little about yourself that you ride without). I wear and $400 full-face AGV because I can afford no less to take care of my fragile brain.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

A U-turn is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres but I've seen farang do it without looking both ways

Or even this way... cover all angles.

[Finnc99]

U-turns are very dangerous here. Usually just getting into the right lane on a small motorcycle can be difficult, then having to wait for an opening to be even able to u-turn can take ages. I've seen some people u-turn thinking the coast is clear then out of nowhere one of those black smoke pickup trucks doing 150+ smashes into them.

[sawadee1947]

1 hour ago, Jane Dough said:

I'd put more trust in an experienced 70 year old motorcyclist than an 18 year old. 

 

Rooster

Compare an 18 yo cyclist knowing and learned the rules with an old experienced but never got driving lessons nor knowing any rules???

Rediculous. 

[VBF]

1 hour ago, SymS said:

U-turns are super dangerous. Roundabouts are much safer, but I understand it's not always possible, and there are associated costs with updating the infrastructure.

I tend to agree except have you seen how most Thai drivers behave at roundabouts? I presume they're either not taught or just don't care but their already minimal lane discipline seems to completely vanish and they appear to either just keep going or stop and panic!

Give way to the right? Fat chance! ????

[AhFarangJa]

55 minutes ago, john terry1001 said:

Almost all Thais don't understand how to use roundabouts, they just treat them as crossroads. The carnage would multiply massively  if u-turns were replaced by them.

 

There are 2-3 in the Chonburi area. Just come and watch for a mere ten minutes if you don't believe me. And they are being used by people who know they are there. 

 

Same in Hua Hin on Soi 88, I promise you have never seen such a clusterf*** in all your life.

[milesinnz]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

A U-turn is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres but I've seen farang do it without looking both ways

In any country, a U turn is dangerous... even in NZ, Police have been involved in serious road accidents doing U turns, avoid them at all cost, pull off and then join the road again so you can easily see both ways...

[digger70]

1 hour ago, SymS said:

U-turns are super dangerous. Roundabouts are much safer, but I understand it's not always possible, and there are associated costs with updating the infrastructure.

Roundabouts are Safer IF people know how to Use them.

[VBF]

4 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Roundabouts are Safer IF people know how to Use them.

Agree Digger and your comment sits well with your signature! Sometimes people do try and STILL don't know!  ????

[sletraveler]

1 hour ago, Wiggy said:

Possibly, but how do we know it wasn't the Brit's fault? He may have pulled across in front of the car to do the u-turn and got clipped on the right hand side.

Yes!   But making inane comments about things they know nothing about is how many spend their lonesome days.  

[sambum]

 

Look - it's a motor bike!!!

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, Jane Dough said:

I'd put more trust in an experienced 70 year old motorcyclist than an 18 year old. 

 

Rooster

At 18 I'd been riding for 7 years, joined Jim Aireys motorcycle club at 12. 

Thai roads are a different animal, the road rules are not the same, the Thai riders attitude are fearless, no regard for safety. 

You got to have your witts about you. As you get older decision making is a lot slower. 

[sambum]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

A U-turn is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres but I've seen farang do it without looking both ways

And Thais do?

 

I too have seen "ting tong farangs" on motor bikes, but by far the biggest offenders (and OK there are more Thais on the road!) are the young teenagers on the souped up "bees on wheels" that drive recklessly at high speed without a thought for themselves or other road users - and often at night with no lights, so how can they be "looking both ways"?