Van Crashes into Traffic Pole in Phuket, Driver Rescued from Wreckage
PHUKET, Thailand – A dramatic crash in Phuket on March 3 left a van driver trapped in his mangled vehicle after it veered out of control, slamming into a traffic sign and an electric pole. The accident took place on Srisoonthorn Road, near the entrance to Wat Manik, around 7:20 PM.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to find the front end of the van completely crushed, with a white Toyota Yaris also involved, having rear-ended the van in the collision.
The driver of the van, 25-year-old Prinya Rakchan, was trapped inside the wreckage and unable to escape. Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation’s Muang Mai team were called in to help. They used cutting equipment to free him, with the rescue taking approximately 10 minutes. Despite the severity of the crash, Prinya miraculously sustained only minor injuries and was transported to Thalang Hospital for medical treatment.
Initial investigations revealed that Prinya had been returning from a hotel drop-off in Cherng Talay, after transporting foreign passengers from Phuket International Airport. On his way back, he lost control of the van, causing it to crash into the median strip.
The driver of the Toyota Yaris, identified only as Ek by rescue teams, was fortunate to escape the accident unscathed.
While the exact cause of the crash has yet to be confirmed, police have charged Prinya with reckless driving causing damage to government property, as reported by The Phuket News.
