Pickup Truck Collides with Elephant, Injuring Three as Animal Retreats into Sugarcane Fields

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A collision between a pickup truck and a large elephant on January 3, left three people injured in Kabin Buri District, Prachinburi Province, Thailand, with the animal retreating into nearby sugarcane fields.

 

Emergency responders from the Sajja Buddhadham Kabin Buri rescue unit were alerted to the incident on Road 359, near Ban Nong Talat in Tambon Lat Takhian. Upon arrival, they discovered a pickup truck with damage to the front left side and a shattered windshield. Three occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

 

A investigation of the scene revealed large elephant footprints, measuring 57 cm in circumference, leading away from the roadside into sugarcane fields spanning over 2,000 rai.

 

Mr. Patipan, a 21-year-old passenger, explained that he, his mother, partner, and a child were travelling from Khao Hin Son to Sa Kaeo when the accident occurred. “After passing a red light and attempting to overtake a truck, a large elephant suddenly appeared crossing the road. I couldn’t brake in time and hit its rear. I regularly use this route but have never seen such a large elephant before. Fortunately, my family wasn’t seriously hurt, but we’ve gone to the hospital for check-ups.”

 

Local official Mr. Paivan Thakham, 48, a member of the Lat Takhian subdistrict administration, said that the area frequently sees elephants crossing the road in search of food. “There are around five or six elephants in this area, and from the driver’s description, we believe this may have been ‘Sida Honok,’ a particularly tall and robust elephant. Elephants often cross here, and we’ve set up a local team to monitor and deter them daily.”

 

Drone footage and ground patrols have been employed to trace the elephants’ movements. The group is believed to have crossed from Thung Praya before retreating into the sugarcane plantation. The sugarcane fields, a regular foraging site for the elephants, provide ample shelter and sustenance.

 

Mr. Ekkachai Saendee, Director of the Department of Conservation and Prevention, has been informed of the incident and is expected to visit the site with his team later today to assess the situation.

 

Authorities are urging motorists using Road 359 to exercise caution, particularly at night, as elephant crossings in this area are a known hazard. Efforts are ongoing to ensure both human and animal safety in the region.

 

 

-- 2025-01-04

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

I hope that the elephant is OK.

[Wuvu2]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

....a large elephant suddenly appeared crossing the road.  

 

...by the time I looked up from my mobile phone and noticed the elephant standing in the road...🙄

 

[Gandtee]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

 

...by the time I looked up from my mobile phone and noticed the elephant standing in the road...🙄

 

Elephants are very difficult to see in dimly lit areas at night. I know from experience. I nearly ran into one about twenty years ago. And this was in a Bangkok suburb.

[Peterphuket]

13 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Elephants are very difficult to see in dimly lit areas at night. I know from experience. I nearly ran into one about twenty years ago. And this was in a Bangkok suburb.

"in a Bangkok suburp" are you sure it was a elephant...

[Gandtee]

4 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

"in a Bangkok suburp" are you sure it was a elephant...

It was an elephant and not a pink one. It's mahoot was using it to collect money and it shot across the road in front of me. Many suburban roads in Bangkok are still badly lit.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I hope that the elephant is OK.

Fled the scene... who knows.

[Bangkok Black]

6 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

 

...by the time I looked up from my mobile phone and noticed the elephant standing in the road...🙄

 

thats more like what happened

[Wuvu2]

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

....a large elephant suddenly appeared

 

5 hours ago, Gandtee said:

.....and it shot across the road in front of me.

 

Ok you guys. I'm callin' BS 😊

[KannikaP]

5 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

 

 

Ok you guys. I'm callin' BS 😊

Agree. If he was overtaking a truck, that truck would have hit the elephant if it came from the left, as the damage to the pickup shows. 

And who measures the footprint's circumference as opposed to diameter. 

[NoDisplayName]

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

“After passing a red light and attempting to overtake a truck, a large elephant suddenly appeared crossing the road.

 

Very poor and illegal driving on the part of the elephant.

[jcmj]

Well so much for gaining a couple minutes by passing a truck to go faster. Hopefully the elephant was only bruised.