PM 2.5 Haze Causes Visibility Issues, Leading to Pickup Truck Crash in Chonburi

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A road crash occurred in Chonburi when thick PM 2.5 haze caused a 23-year-old pickup truck driver to lose control and crash into a tree. The collision happened on January 26, on a curve along the Ang Kraphong route in Moo 3, Kasetsuwan Subdistrict, Bo Thong District.

 

Emergency responders from Sawanghet Ban Thung Hiang Rescue Unit rushed to the scene following reports of a collision with the driver trapped inside the wreckage. Upon arrival, they found a white Toyota pickup truck severely damaged. The driver, identified as Mr. Songwut, was critically injured, unconscious, and suffering multiple injuries. Rescue teams used hydraulic equipment to free him from the vehicle before transporting him to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

 

Local residents reported that the site is a known dangerous curve and, at the time, was heavily obscured by thick PM 2.5 haze, which severely reduced visibility. They believe the driver, unfamiliar with the area, failed to notice the curve and lost control, leading to the crash.

 

In a twist, Mr. Sano, the victim's father, who had been driving another vehicle some distance behind his son, arrived at the scene and was shocked to discover that the person being rescued was his own child.

 

"We were driving from Chanthaburi to collect durians for sale, but we were in separate vehicles. My son was ahead of me. When I arrived at the scene and saw the rescue teams assisting a white pickup truck, I stopped to check and realised it was my son," said the distressed father.

 

The accident highlights the dangers posed by poor visibility due to PM 2.5 haze, which continues to impact various areas of Thailand. Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution, especially on unfamiliar roads.

 

-- 2025-01-27

 

 

[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

A road crash occurred in Chonburi when thick PM 2.5 haze caused a 23-year-old pickup truck driver to lose control and crash into a tree.

 

This translates into driving too fast for current visibility conditions.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 

This translates into driving too fast for current visibility conditions.

Exactly! it´s to compare with heavy rain. All sensible drivers slow down, but not this idiot!

[Atlantic Cod]

Dangerous driving habits

[Ctkong]

Thai drivers are not conscious of situational awareness and drive accordingly to the road situation. They just drive  like they always do. Their reason? I have been driving like this for years and nothing bad happened to me until it does. 

[ujayujay]

Wrong headline! Should read: The driver did not adjust his speed to the limited visibility. The driver is 100% to blame!

[Hardcastle P]

Mist not MP2.5 since when did MP 2.5 contain water partials. It's been misty for the last couple of nights. 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Local residents reported that the site is a known dangerous curve and, at the time, was heavily obscured by thick PM 2.5 haze, which severely reduced visibility.

But not speed apparently.

[digger70]

44 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Mist not MP2.5 since when did MP 2.5 contain water partials. It's been misty for the last couple of nights. 

This is the New Excuse for Incompetent Drivers.

[novacova]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The accident highlights the dangers posed by poor

…driving habits, driving too fast for road conditions and careless driving.

[rwill]

I woke up at 3 am last night.  Stuck my head out the door and it was real smokey.