Elderly Woman Killed in Lorry Crash in Udon Thani

Picture from responders.
 

A 74-year-old woman was killed after a 10-wheel lorry struck her motorcycle and ran over her on Thamma Chedi Road, near Mukh Montri Municipal School, in the heart of Udon Thani.

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 16.30 on 19 March. Police, medics from Udon Thani Hospital, and rescue workers from the Udon Sawang Methatham Foundation rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a collision involving a goods vehicle.

Upon arrival, emergency responders found a Mitsubishi 10-wheel lorry loaded with soil, stopped in the road. A red-and-black Honda Scoopy motorbike lay near the vehicle’s front wheels, while the lifeless body of Mrs. Pinthong, a resident of Ban Chang, lay beneath the lorry’s left rear wheel. The victim had suffered severe injuries, including fractures to her neck, shoulders and legs.

The lorry driver, Mr. Narubeth, a resident of Nong Khai province, remained at the scene to cooperate with police. He explained that he had been transporting soil from a pit in Ban Bonoi, Nong Samrong Subdistrict, to a construction site near Udon Thani Airport.

“After unloading the last trip, I was returning to the pit, using the city route. I stopped at a red light at an intersection and saw three motorcycles ahead of me. When the light turned green, I pulled away, but I only saw two motorcycles move forward. I assumed the third had turned off the road. Moments later, I felt my truck run over something, so I stopped and got out to check. That’s when I saw the accident. I am truly sorry for what has happened,” he said.

Rescue workers used the victim’s mobile phone to contact her family, who arrived at the scene in tears. Initially hoping she had only suffered injuries, her children were devastated upon learning of her death. Overcome with emotion, they climbed into the rescue vehicle to see their mother one last time, kissing her forehead and closing her eyes before embracing her body in grief.

Local vendor Ms. Beer 40, who runs a nearby stall, witnessed the aftermath. “I was sitting at my shop as usual when I heard a loud crash. I looked up and saw the lorry’s wheel rolling over a body. I was shocked. At first, I didn’t even realise a motorcycle was involved. I immediately called the authorities. Lorries do use this road occasionally, but today I noticed this particular lorry passing back and forth several times since morning. I never imagined such a tragedy would happen.”

Police at Muang Udon Thani Police Station documented the scene and took the lorry driver into custody for further questioning. He also underwent an alcohol test. CCTV footage from a nearby laundrette recorded the crash, showing three motorcycles passing the shop, with the soil lorry closely following the victim’s bike.

Investigators will examine the footage in detail and interview the driver further before deciding on legal proceedings. The victim’s body was taken to Udon Thani Hospital for a post-mortem examination before being released to her family for funeral rites.

-- 2025-03-21