Picture from responders.

 

A road crash has claimed the life of a 59-year-old trailer driver after his vehicle, heavily loaded with ceiling panels, veered off the road and overturned, fatally crushing him beneath the cargo.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 22:30 on 18 April along the Asia Highway, near kilometre marker 15 in Ban Pa Bak, Moo 4, Thung Nari sub-district, Pa Bon district, Phatthalung province. Local police from Pa Bon Police Station and rescue personnel from Phatthalung’s emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene.

 

 

Upon arrival, authorities discovered the truck and trailer, registered in Songkhla, lying off the side of the road. It had been carrying a full load of large ceiling panels. The driver, identified as Mr. Manop, was found dead at the scene, crushed beneath the very panels he had been transporting.

 

Rescue workers spent more than 30 minutes using specialised equipment to remove the heavy panels and a fallen tree that had compounded the wreckage. Mr. Manop’s body was eventually recovered, showing extensive trauma. Reports stated that nearly all his bones were fractured, and his skull had been flattened by the weight.

 

According to a fellow driver travelling in a separate vehicle from the same transport team, Mr. Manop had departed from Bangkok with a delivery bound for the Sadao border checkpoint in Hat Yai district, Songkhla. Shortly before the incident, Mr. Manop reportedly called and told his colleague that he was too tired to continue driving and planned to stop for a rest. The colleague drove on ahead, only to later receive the devastating news from police.

 

Initial investigations suggest that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. However, police confirmed they would review CCTV footage in the area to determine the exact cause of the crash.

 

Rescue personnel have since contacted the deceased’s family, and arrangements are being made to return Mr. Manop’s body to his hometown.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khoasod.

 

-- 2025-04-20

 

 

 

 

Terrible way to die. Smashed like a........