Falling Tree Branch Causes Crash in Nakhon Ratchasima, 1 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A routine trip home from the hospital turned tragic when a pickup truck swerved to avoid a fallen tree branch and collided with another roadside tree, killing an elderly passenger and seriously injuring two others.

The incident occurred along the Phimai-Chum Phuang Road, at kilometre marker 24–25, in Ban Nong Chik, Phosai Subdistrict, Phimai District. Police Lieutenant Colonel (Investigation) Karawika Manopsilpa from Phimai Police Station received the report at approximately 16:45 on 4 April and rushed to the scene with rescue teams from Hook 31 Phimai.

At the scene, officers found a bronze Isuzu pickup truck with Buriram registration damaged at the front, having slammed into a roadside tree. The driver, Mr. Adisak, 23, sustained a head injury and was trapped inside the vehicle. In the front passenger seat was his grandfather, Mr. Somporn, 74, who had sustained critical injuries and was found with no detectable pulse. Emergency responders attempted CPR but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the back seat, rescuers found Mrs. Som, Mr. Somporn’s wife, with serious injuries. She was stabilised at the scene and then rushed to Phimai Hospital for emergency treatment.

Mr. Adisak told police that he had been driving his grandparents home from a scheduled medical appointment at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. As they travelled through a tree-covered section of the road, a large branch suddenly fell in their path. In an attempt to swerve and avoid it, he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and crash into a tree.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the accident.

-- 2025-04-05