Family of Four Survives Crash as Pickup Truck Overturns in Buriram

Picture from responders.

A family of four, including two young children, miraculously survived after their pickup truck veered off the road and overturned in Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buriram. The crash, believed to have been caused by the driver falling asleep at the wheel, left the mother trapped inside the wreckage, while locals rushed to rescue the children.

Police from Chaloem Phra Kiat Police Station received a report of the crash along the Ban Ta Pek-Khok Si Lakon Road in Moo 3, Charoensuk Subdistrict. Emergency responders, including paramedics from Chaloem Phra Kiat Hospital and local rescue teams, were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, authorities found a silver Isuzu pickup truck, registration from Buriram, overturned beside the road. Witnesses had already managed to pull out a two-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy from the vehicle.

The father, identified as Mr. Natthaphumin Manthong, who had been driving, had crawled out of the wreckage with minor injuries. Despite his own shock and pain, he pleaded for help for his wife, Ms. Namfon Manthong, who remained trapped inside with her leg pinned under the vehicle.

Rescue teams worked for 20 minutes to free Ms. Namfon from the wreckage before rushing her to Chaloem Phra Kiat Hospital. While the father and children sustained only minor injuries, Ms. Namfon’s condition was more serious, with a badly fractured legs.

Ms. Thongbai Nugul, 61, a resident of nearby Khok Si Lakon Village, recounted hearing a loud crash in the early hours and rushing to the scene. She and other locals managed to pull the children to safety before emergency services arrived, fearing a possible fuel leak could lead to a fire.

The driver, Mr. Natthaphumin, later told police that his family had been travelling from Nong Waeng, Lahan Sai District, on their way home to Ban Nong Sakae, Charoensuk Subdistrict. He admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, losing control, and crashing.

Police are continuing their investigation into the crash, though early indications suggest fatigue was the primary cause. Authorities have urged motorists to take regular breaks on long journeys to prevent such incidents.

-- 2025-02-17