Missing Councillor Found Dead in Submerged Pickup Truck in Nakhon Ratchasima

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders

 

The body of a missing municipal councillor was discovered on January 25, in a submerged pickup truck in a pond in Nong Bunnak district, Nakhon Ratchasima, after a five-day search. Authorities believe the driver lost control and plunged into the water.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Pramarn Chulphakwan, deputy investigation officer at Nong Bunnak Police Station, along with Sawang Metta Nakhon Ratchasima rescue teams, received a report of the disappearance of Mr. Phut Kaewudon, 64, a resident of Ban Mai subdistrict and a municipal councillor for Laem Thong.

 

Mr. Phut had been missing since 19 January when he left home, stating he was visiting relatives in Ban Hua Ang Pattana village.

 

The search led authorities to a large pond in Ban Hua Ang Pattana, where broken tree branches and vehicle skid marks suggested a car had slid into the water. Using hooks, rescue teams confirmed the presence of the bronze Isuzu pickup truck with a Nakhon Ratchasima registration plate submerged in the pond.

 

Underwater rescue divers from the Sawang Metta "Krayban Korat" team were called in, and after two hours of work, they successfully retrieved the vehicle. Inside, they discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Phut.

 

The vehicle and the scene were inspected by investigators, and the body was transported to Nong Bunnak Hospital for an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.

 

According to relatives, Mr. Phut had been unreachable since his departure on 19 January. After days of unsuccessful searching, family members noticed the broken branches and vehicle marks near the pond on 24 January, prompting them to alert authorities.

 

Police suspect the crash occurred when Mr. Phut, driving along a sloped road beside the pond, may have accelerated too quickly, causing the vehicle to lose control and plunge into the pond, which is over four metres deep. Trapped inside the car, he was unable to escape and drowned.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident but do not suspect foul play.

 

-- 2025-01-26