Pictures courtesy of Naewna.

 

A ten-wheel lorry transporting fertiliser from Kanchanaburi to Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son, lost its brakes while descending a steep mountain road in Mae Ho, Mae Sariang district, with the driver steering it into a roadside embankment, to avoid a more serious collision.

 

The crash occurred on Highway 108, between kilometre markers 175 and 176, near Ban Pa Chi Lang in Mae Ho. The lorry, registration from Lamphun, slammed into the embankment after the driver, unable to stop the vehicle, made the split-second decision to steer off the road.

 

Rescue teams from the Mae Sariang Emergency and Rescue Association, along with police, hospital staff and disaster prevention officers, rushed to the scene. The driver was found trapped in the cab for over 30 minutes before being cut free and taken to Mae Sariang Hospital with injuries.

 

Mr Somboon, a passenger accompanying the driver, told investigators they had loaded fertiliser in Kanchanaburi for delivery to a shop in Khun Yuam. As it was the driver’s first time travelling this route, Somboon joined him for support.

 

They had stopped briefly in Mae Ho before continuing the descent. Shortly afterwards pulling away, the driver reported that the brakes were failing. Somboon, seated beside him, stated he jumped out in an attempt to block the wheels, but the steep incline made it impossible to slow the vehicle.

 

“The lorry picked up speed very quickly going downhill. The driver relied on his experience and swerved into the roadside embankment to stop it. That’s why he ended up injured and trapped in the cab,” Somboon explained.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-08-25

 

 

 

Sounds like a good decision. Now, if it´s more than one lorry, truck or vehicle in the company. Check them all, as service is probably long overdue.