Water truck crashes in Kata

A water tanker yesterday slipped out of gear and rolled

downhill, crashing into a nearby shop in Kata Center.

KATA, PHUKET: -- A six-wheel water tanker owned by the Diamond Cottage Resort and Spa yesterday slipped out of gear and rolled downhill, crashing into a nearby shop in Kata Center.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Kata-Karon has been the sight of many accidents involving water trucks in recent years, with several motorcyclists killed.

Cement trucks speeding through the narrow roads of Kata have also been a cause of protest.

In January this year, a mob of angry residents used their vehicles to block the main road through Kata following an accident in which a cement truck allegedly speeding through the area collided with a parked van and motorcycle. Two men were injured.

Many resorts in hilly parts of Kata-Karon use water tankers to truck in water from tin mines because the municipal supply does not reach them.

The number of water trucks moving through the streets increases in the high season, when demand for water is highest and the municipal supply dwindles due to lack of rain.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-12-17

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obviously hand brake not working then

Another one? It seems these insane water truck drivers and the cement truck drivers are having a competition to see who can create more carnage and death. Reminds me of the movie Death Race. (The original, not the remake.)

Judging from the article this one was psrked, no hand brake used, but somehow slipped out of gear.