Tanker Crash Kills Four Family Members on Christmas Day

Pictures courtesy of Matichon 

Four people were killed and two others critically injured when a tanker crossed lanes and collided head-on with a Toyota Fortuner carrying relatives travelling to a graduation celebration in Nakhon Ratchasima province on 25 December 2025. The crash occurred at about 7.00am on Highway 24, causing severe damage, fuel spillage and major traffic disruption at the scene. Emergency services confirmed four deaths, with two survivors in critical condition.

Police said the collision happened on the inbound side of Nakhon Ratchasima, near the Ban Mai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Nong Hua Raet subdistrict, Nong Bun Mak district. A tanker driver, registration from Ubon Ratchathani, lost control, struck a power pole and crossed the central reservation before hitting the white Toyota Fortuner, registration in Nakhon Ratchasima. The tanker overturned on its side, spilling several thousand litres of diesel fuel across the roadway.

According to investigators, the Fortuner was carrying six relatives travelling to attend a graduation ceremony later that morning. The driver of the Fortuner was identified as Mr Saengthong, aged 51. The victims who died were Mr Saengthong, Mrs Nuporn, aged 56, Mrs Khamnang, aged 74, and Mr Kesorn, aged 79.

Two passengers, Ms Sasithorn, aged 45, and Ms Ratchanok, aged 29, suffered critical injuries and were taken to Nong Bun Mak Hospital for treatment. Rescue teams said the occupants were trapped in the wreckage and had to be freed using specialist rescue equipment. Three victims died at the scene, while one later died in hospital.

Local officials and volunteers from the Sawang Metta Rescue Unit cordoned off the road and worked to contain the diesel spill. Water was sprayed and sand was used to cover the fuel to reduce the risk of fire, with authorities noting that diesel is less easily ignited than petrol. Traffic on Highway 24 was temporarily closed while recovery and clean-up operations were carried out.

The tanker driver, Mr Sunthorn, sustained only minor injuries and told police he had been driving from an oil depot in Rayong province to deliver fuel to a customer in Ubon Ratchathani. He stated that he fell asleep at the wheel, causing the tanker to veer off course, strike the power pole and cross into oncoming traffic. Police have charged him with reckless driving causing injury and death, as well as damage to public property.

Matichon reported that investigators said the tanker had initially run into a drainage canal in the central reservation before surging back onto the carriageway and colliding with the Fortuner. Authorities will continue to gather evidence and review safety measures for heavy vehicles on the route.

Key Takeaways

• A tanker driver admitted falling asleep, causing a fatal head-on crash on Highway 24 on 25 December 2025.

• Four family members travelling to a graduation celebration were killed and two others were critically injured.

• Police have charged the tanker driver with reckless driving causing deaths, injuries and property damage.

Related stories

Two-killed-as-big-bike-crashes-with-motorcycle-taxi-in-Saraburi

Two-car-crash-kills-district-officer-in-Pathum-Thani

 Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-12-25