Picture from responders.

 

A heroic street vendor has been praised for his brave actions after he dived into a canal to rescue an elderly couple trapped in their car, which had plunged into the water following a collision with a passenger bus. The dramatic incident occurred around 20.00 on January 24, near a Caltex petrol station in Moo 3, Khlong Sam subdistrict, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani.

 

Emergency responders from the Khlong Sam Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) arrived at the scene to find the car completely submerged in the irrigation canal. According to Jeerakit Chanchanklang, a first responder, the vehicle was a black Toyota Vios driven by a man in his 70s with his wife of a similar age as a passenger.

 

Preliminary reports suggest the elderly man accidentally pressed the accelerator in panic after the car grazed a passing passenger bus, causing the vehicle to veer into the canal. Fortunately, the couple was rescued just in time by a passerby before the car became fully submerged. Both were rushed to Prachathipat Hospital for treatment, though they were unable to provide statements due to shock.

 

Ms. Ploy a witness recounted the incident. She explained that she was in a taxi heading home when she noticed the car crash into the canal. Hearing her driver shout in alarm, she quickly instructed him to look for something sturdy to assist those trapped inside the car while filming the unfolding events.

 

The real-life hero, whose name has not been disclosed, was a street vendor working across from the crash site. “I heard a loud screech of brakes and saw the car plunge into the canal. I immediately took off my shirt and jumped in to help,” he said.

 

Upon reaching the vehicle, he found the elderly couple inside with their windows rolled down. The woman, who had injured her arm, was crying in pain. He instructed the man to crawl out of the car while he worked to pull the injured woman to safety. Summoning all his strength, he managed to drag her out just as the car sank beneath the surface.

 

Police later arrived to examine the scene and retrieve the sunken vehicle using a tow truck. No additional occupants or documents were found inside the car. Authorities confirmed that the couple are now safe but remain under medical observation due to the trauma of the incident.

 

The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, as the passenger bus involved did not stop at the scene.

 

-- 2025-01-25

 

Well done that man.

Hero .. Just hope the street vendor doesn't receive any litigation for the damage to the historical rare earth flora and fauna that has been disturbed 🤔