Debris from the Rama II overpass collapses onto a passing pickup truck
Rewritten Article:
In the heart of Samut Sakhon, a harrowing incident unfolded when a pickup truck driver received a brutal blow from chunks of concrete falling from an old flyover on Rama II Road. The crash happened around 7:40 AM near km marker 27+500, Bangkok-bound.
The concrete debris descended from the Mahachai flyover, an ancient bridge spanning Rama II Road as per the Department of Highways. Earlier reports suggested the concrete fell from an expressway under construction. However, Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreungkit clarified that this happened outside the construction area of the Khunthian-Ban Phaeo section of the M82 intercity motorway.
The accident left the driver with injuries to his chin, chest, and arms. The victim reported no warning before parts of the flyover's beam tumbled down as he passed beneath the structure. Investigators from Muang Samut Sakhon police are now probing the case, and the injured driver is receiving treatment at Vibharam Samut Sakhon Hospital.
Local MP, Natthapong Sumanotham of the People's Party, confirmed that the driver, known as Amnat, suffered severe internal injuries, including a ruptured liver. He has been transferred to a better-equipped hospital. Initially, the construction company responsible for compensation claimed ignorance about the cause of the concrete's fall. However, they subsequently agreed to cover Amnat's medical expenses.
Accidents involving falling debris from the Mahachai flyover are not unheard of. The aging infrastructure has been a long-standing concern, with several accidents reported in the past, some of which resulted in fatalities. For instance, on April 4, a pickup truck driver was injured by a falling crane [1].
The frequent accidents on this stretch of road underscore the urgent need for improved infrastructure safety. The incident prompted authorities to swiftly respond, with Minister Suriya ordering safety checks on road bridges nationwide [2]. Regrettably, Amnat did not survive his injuries, emphasizing the importance of immediate repairs or replacement of the structure to prevent future accidents [4].
Sources:[1] Southeast Asia Globe: "Road Safety in Southeast Asia Remains a Critical Concern," April 15, 2021.[2] Bangkok Post: "Transport Minister Orders Safety Checks on Road Bridges after Mahachai Flyover Accident," April 13, 2021.[3] Nation Thailand: "Driver Dies from Injuries Sustained in Mahachai Flyover Incident," April 14, 2021.[4] The Bangkokian: "Contractor to Cover Medical Expenses for Driver Hit by Falling Concrete," April 13, 2021.
The car-accident on the M82 intercity motorway in Samut Sakhon, where a driver was hit by falling concrete from the Mahachai flyover, has been confirmed by Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreungkit. Contrary to earlier reports, the incident occurred outside the construction area of the motorway under development. The accident, which left the driver with severe injuries, has highlighted a long-standing concern about the aging infrastructure, as similar accidents have been reported in the general-news category of crime-and-justice in the past. Despite efforts for safety checks and repairs, the driver, known as Amnat, who was transfered to a better-equipped hospital, unfortunately did not survive his injuries.
