A potentially fatal incident was averted late on November 17, when a good Samaritan rescued a 31-year-old woman moments before her pickup truck was engulfed in flames on Highway 22, near Ban Hua Phon, Nakhon Phanom.

 

The victim, identified as Ms. Meranee, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, works in Sakon Nakhon and was driving her black four-door Vigo pickup (license plate from Nakhon Si Thammarat). She was unharmed, thanks to the timely intervention of a motorcyclist who noticed sparks and flames coming from the vehicle.

 

According to Lieutenant Parichat Thabthong, the investigating officer at Muang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, Ms. Meranee had been driving home after attending a merit-making event in Mukdahan. On the way, she remembered leaving her phone at a restaurant in Ban Don Moong, Nong Yat sub-district, and decided to turn back to retrieve it.

 

While driving back, a motorcyclist following her noticed sparks near the right front wheel of her truck. Unaware of the danger, Ms. Meranee continued driving until the flames began spreading rapidly. The motorcyclist, realising the severity of the situation, sped ahead, got her to stop, then opened her car door and pulled her out to safety just in time, as the car burst into flames.

 

Firefighters from Na Ratcha Khuai Subdistrict Administrative Organization and local disaster prevention authorities arrived quickly at the scene. With assistance from passing cement trucks, which used their water storage tanks to control the flames, the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes. However, the truck was completely destroyed.

 

Ms. Meranee later filed a police report at Muang Nakhon Phanom Police Station and contacted her insurance provider. The charred remains of the vehicle were taken to the police station for further investigation.

 

The motorcyclist who saved Ms. Meranee’s life described seeing sparks emanating from the vehicle’s front wheel and deciding to intervene. “I was afraid the car might explode, so I acted quickly. Fortunately, cement trucks were nearby and helped control the flames before the firefighters arrived,” he said.

 

Pictures from responders.

 

-- 2024-11-18

 

 

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