Incident  in Durian Orchard as Pickup Truck Overturns, Killing Driver Instantly

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A 46-year-old man was killed when a pickup truck he was operating overturned in a durian orchard in Chumphon province, crushing his head and killing him instantly.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 on 1 May, in Ban Huai Kho, Moo 7, Pang Whan Subdistrict, in the mountainous district of Phato. Police investigator Pol. Lt. Col. Taweesak Raksakun of Phato Police Station received the emergency call and promptly attended the scene along with local rescue teams and medical staff from Phato Hospital.

The scene of the accident was a steep and rugged dirt road, around 8 kilometres from the Phato-Lang Suan main road, flanked by durian plantations nestled in hilly terrain. The overturned vehicle was a single-cab, grey-black Toyota 4-wheel drive dump pickup, licence plate number from Surat Thani, found tipped on its side between a betel nut and a durian tree.

Nearby, rescuers discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Manat aged 46, lying face-up in the grass with his skull crushed. A cloth was used to cover the body at the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Manat had been hired to transport ready-mixed concrete using his modified dump pickup after a 10-wheel lorry delivering the mix was unable to ascend the steep path to the construction site. Only four-wheel drive vehicles could navigate the treacherous incline.

Mr. Manat had reportedly made several successful trips that morning. However, disaster struck while ascending the hill once more. The vehicle’s axle reportedly snapped, causing the pickup to lose control, slide rapidly downhill, and overturn multiple times. Mr. Manat was thrown from the vehicle and fatally crushed.

Emergency personnel recovered the body and transported it to Phato Hospital for a formal autopsy.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-02.