Three Rescued, One Dead After Car Plunges Upside-Down into Canal in Samut Sakhon

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A dramatic rescue unfolded in Samut Sakhon on the afternoon of 19 May, when a car carrying four people overturned as it plunged into a canal, leaving three survivors and one fatality despite heroic efforts from police officers and local residents.

The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 on the Ban Phaeo–Yokkrabat Road in Moo 7, Lak Sam Subdistrict, Ban Phaeo District. Police Sub-Lieutenant Chaiyawat Thiammekha, an investigator at Ban Phaeo Police Station, received the emergency call and dispatched patrol units and rescue personnel from the Samut Sakhon Charity Foundation to the scene.

Emergency responders arrived to find a white Toyota sedan (registration from Bangkok) overturned and submerged in the canal. Bystanders were already in the water attempting to rescue the vehicle’s occupants.

Three police officers, Deputy Inspector Khamrop Khanta, Deputy Sub-Inspector Thosaphol Onnim and Police Sergeant Manat Kimheng, immediately jumped into the water, joining over ten civilians in the rescue effort. They managed to pull three individuals from the vehicle, all of whom were semi-conscious and suffering from water inhalation.

However, a fourth occupant remained trapped inside. After a tense 15-minute struggle, the final victim was recovered unconscious. Medics from the Lak Sam Health Centre performed CPR at the scene before transferring the individual to Ban Phaeo Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Speaking after the rescue, Deputy Sub-Inspector Thosaphol stated:

“In that moment, we didn’t think twice. We knew someone was still trapped, and we just acted. Every life matters.”

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. CCTV footage from nearby locations is being reviewed, and statements are being taken from the surviving victims.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khasod 2025-05-21.