Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 21-year-old woman sustained head injuries after being struck by falling steel rods from a passing truck while waiting to turn onto the road on her motorcycle. The driver of the truck has apologised, admitting he had forgotten to secure the load.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 09:30 on 2 July in Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen Province, near the entrance to Sila Na Pho village on the Chaiyaphum–Borabu Road. The victim, identified as Ms. Wanna, had stopped her motorcycle to wait for traffic to clear when the rods flew off the rack of a passing vehicle and struck her forehead with force.

 

According to Ms. Wanna, she was on her way to a nearby convenience store when she briefly stopped at the roadside to make a turn. As she waited, she noticed a pickup truck ahead and moments later, the steel rods came loose and hit her directly on the forehead.

 

“I turned my head in fear that it would hit my eyes,” she said. “Instead, it struck my right temple and forehead, leaving deep wounds.” She immediately sought help from another driver nearby, fearing that the truck driver responsible might flee the scene.

 

However, the man driving the truck returned to apologise, explaining that he had not tied down the steel properly, causing it to fall during transit. Ms. Wanna was taken to Ban Phai Hospital, where doctors stitched her forehead with six stitches and her right temple with two. She was later discharged but must return daily for wound care. Doctors warned her of potential long-term scarring and the possible development of a protruding lump that may require surgery.

 

Ms. Wanna, who works at a local convenience store earning a daily wage of 357 baht, has been forced to stop working indefinitely. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to work, or if I’ll be able to return at all,” she said.

 

The pickup driver visited her home the next morning and mentioned that the vehicle was insured but gave no clear commitment regarding compensation. He suggested further discussion with the insurance provider at the police station.

 

Pol. Col. Pratchayamat Chaiyasura, Superintendent of Ban Phai Police Station, confirmed that the incident had been formally recorded and that an investigation was underway. “We are currently taking statements from both the victim and the pickup driver. The driver is likely to face charges of reckless driving causing injury and property damage,” he said.

 

Police will mediate a settlement discussion between both parties. Ms. Wanna has called on the driver to take full responsibility for her medical costs and any future plastic surgery needed to treat permanent facial damage caused by the incident.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-04

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

However, the man driving the truck returned to apologise, explaining that he had not tied down the steel properly, causing it to fall during transit.

One must wonder how many times he has done that before without any accident?

On 7/3/2025 at 10:15 PM, Georgealbert said:

A 21-year-old woman sustained head injuries after being struck by falling steel rods from a passing truck while waiting to turn onto the road on her motorcycle. The driver of the truck has apologised, admitting he had forgotten to secure the load.

 

Jailtime for him, the lady could be dead by now.