Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A incident occurred on the afternoon of 20 June when a large royal poinciana tree (commonly known as a flame tree) collapsed onto a moving pickup truck, killing the driver and injuring two passengers.

 

The incident took place at around 16:00 on Soi Koteng in Moo 8, Wat Pradu Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province. Officers from the Tha Koob Community Police Service, along with rescue teams from the Kusolsattha Surat Thani Foundation, were dispatched to the scene equipped with hydraulic cutting tools and chainsaws.

Upon arrival, emergency crews found a Toyota Vigo four-door pickup severely damaged by the fallen tree. The massive trunk had landed squarely across the roof of the passenger cabin, crushing it and trapping all three occupants inside.

 

The driver, Mr. Watthasin, 32, was found unconscious and unresponsive. Two passengers, Mr. Soda, 77, who sustained a torn wound to his left arm and Ms. Krisana 65, who suffered abrasions and head injuries, were also trapped in the wreckage. All three were extricated and rushed to Surat Thani Hospital, where Mr. Watthasin was pronounced dead.

 

According to the preliminary investigation, the pickup had been travelling normally when, without warning, the large flame tree standing by the roadside suddenly toppled, crashing directly onto the vehicle. The exact cause of the tree’s collapse remains under investigation by local authorities.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khoasod 2025-06-22

 

 

Tragic... 

Massively unlucky.  RIP.

Nature always bats last….