Picture from responders.

 

A family of three was left seriously injured after a shocking early morning crash in Nakhon Si Thammarat, when a sleep-deprived father nodded off while driving and lost control of his vehicle, slamming into a tree. The incident took place on Route 401 in Tha Sala District and left the family’s car crumpled.

 

Rescue teams from the Nakorn Foundation, Poh Teck Tung Foundation, and Phetkasem Foundation (Sichon) rushed to the scene, where they found a grey Mitsubishi sedan (license plate from Trang) wrapped around a roadside tree. The car’s side was completely crushed, windows shattered, and the cabin severely compacted.

 

 

Inside were three injured passengers: 34-year-old Mr. Parinya, the driver; his wife, 38-year-old Ms. Nuengruethai; and their 8-year-old son, whose name has been withheld for privacy. All three were trapped inside the wreckage and had to be cut free using specialist hydraulic equipment.

 

Initial medical assistance was provided on site before the victims were rushed to Tha Sala Hospital. The parents were later reported to be in stable condition. However, the child sustained serious injuries and was transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for advanced intensive care.

 

According to police from Tha Sala Police Station, Mr. Parinya admitted that he had not slept the previous night, having been occupied transporting a boxer to a match during the busy Songkran festival. Fatigue caught up with him behind the wheel, leading to the devastating crash.

 

Authorities have reminded motorists of the dangers of driving while sleep-deprived, particularly during the high-traffic Songkran holiday, when road crashes typically surge.

 

The family, residents of Mueang District, were en route to the wife’s family home in Sa Kaeo subdistrict, Tha Sala, at the time of the crash.

 

Police investigations are ongoing.

 

 

-- 2025-04-14

 

 

 

Sadly, it seems very likely that the child was in a rear passenger seat unrestrained. What happened to the legislation to introduce child restraint seats into cars?