Two students were killed and 12 others injured—one seriously—when a six-wheel truck crashed into a parked pickup truck carrying schoolchildren in Sai Buri district, southern Thailand, on Friday morning.
The tragic incident occurred on Pattani-Narathiwat Road in Ban Laharn village, Moo 5, at around 8:10 AM, according to Pol. Col. Chalermchai Phetkat, Chief of the Sai Buri Police Station.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found the six-wheel delivery truck parked on the road with its driver, 25-year-old Natthanin Thongsawang, waiting inside. The pickup truck, which was carrying students, was parked nearby with its right taillight shattered and its body slightly dented. Blood was found on both the pickup and the road.
Rescue teams rushed the injured students to Saiburi Crown Prince Hospital. Among the victims, 14-year-old Firahan Sani, a Matthayom Suksa 2 (Grade 8) student, was confirmed dead at the scene. He had been standing at the back of the pickup when the truck struck, causing fatal injuries.
Two other students, 15-year-old Sa-enah Mukhor, a Matthayom Suksa 3 (Grade 9) student, and 14-year-old Amnul Wa-ngor, a Matthayom Suksa 2 student, were seriously injured. Sa-enah was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. Amnul was later transferred to Pattani Hospital for further treatment.
Eleven other students suffered minor injuries.
According to police, the pickup driver, 25-year-old Armin Hama, had stopped the vehicle along the road while waiting for the last student to board on the way to Maikaenkittiwit School in Mai Kaen district. While the pickup was stationary, the oncoming truck suddenly collided with its right side. The truck’s side mirror struck the schoolboy standing at the back of the pickup, as well as the two schoolgirls.
