Elderly Man Dies After Losing Consciousness at the Wheel, Granddaughter Seriously Injured

Picture from responders.

A 78-year-old man lost his life after the pickup truck he was driving veered off the road and overturned, trapping him inside the vehicle. His 13-year-old granddaughter sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.

The incident occurred on the morning of 31 January, near the U-turn at Ban Samakki, on the inbound route to Lampang city. Police Lieutenant Thanapoon Krueya, an investigator from Mueang Lampang Police Station, received a report of the accident and immediately coordinated with forensic doctors from Lampang Hospital and the local rescue team.

Upon arrival, emergency responders found a green Mazda pickup truck, an older model with a fitted canopy, overturned in the central reservation.

Inside, the body of the driver, identified as Mr Oon Kawilanun, 78, of Moo 5, Nikom Phatthana subdistrict, was found trapped behind the wheel. Rescue personnel had to extricate his body from the wreckage. A 13-year-old girl, his granddaughter, was also found injured and was quickly transported to Lampang Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Mr Oon was driving his granddaughter, a special needs student, to her school at the Lampang Special Education Centre in Phra Bat subdistrict. A witness, who had been driving behind him, reported seeing Mr Oon suddenly slump forward while at the wheel. The vehicle immediately lost control, veering into the central reservation before overturning.

Authorities suspect that the elderly driver may have suffered a sudden medical episode, possibly linked to an existing health condition. However, police will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.

-- 2025-02-01