Picture courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Yesterday's lunchtime at a popular café in Kathu took a horrifying turn when a cement mixer truck overturned, crashing through an elevated walkway and landing roof-first just metres from shocked patrons.

 

The incident occurred around 12:30pm on Route 3030, near the Coffee In Farm café, a bustling spot frequently visited by locals and tourists. The road itself serves as a vital connection between Koh Kaew and Kathu, extending its impact on daily commuters.

 

Eyewitnesses described the chaos that unfolded with a deafening crash, sending diners into a panic. The truck overturned and came to a stop upside down near the café, closely situated to the well-known Tin Mining Museum.

 

Emergency services from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation responded swiftly, arriving to find the truck's driver trapped inside the mangled cab. Using specialist tools, it took the rescue team nearly an hour to extricate the driver from the wreckage.

 

An eyewitness and café customer shared their experience: "The noise was incredible. One moment we were enjoying our meals, and then there was this massive bang. When we ran out, we saw the truck upside down with its wheels still turning. It's fortunate no one else got hurt."

 

The driver, whose name has not yet been released, was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital immediately after being freed. There has been no official word on his condition or the severity of his injuries from medical staff.

 

Fortunately, no other injuries or casualties were reported among the café patrons or passersby. The café was temporarily closed to allow emergency personnel and police to secure and clean the site.

 

Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the accident, with police examining whether it was due to mechanical failure, driver error, or adverse road conditions. It is still unknown if the truck was transporting cement at the time.

 

Local authorities have expressed gratitude that the incident did not escalate into a more severe tragedy. Safety checks on the compromised walkway and adjoining roads are expected to prevent future occurrences.

 

An official remarked, "The outcome could have been far worse. We’re relieved the café wasn't more crowded. With more people outside, it could have been a catastrophe."

 

The impact of the crash has heightened concerns over safety measures for vehicles and establishments alongside busy routes. The community awaits the results of the investigation, striving for improved road safety to ensure such accidents remain rare.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-01

 

brake failure...again

Very lucky the cement mixer didn't hit the passing prison van otherwise police would be looking for 16 hardened criminals 🤔