PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – A four-year-old Vespa passenger accidentally twisted the throttle and crashed into a 7-Eleven store, injuring herself and her aunt after the scooter smashed through the shop’s glass front in Lat Lum Kaeo district.
Family trip ends in crash at convenience store
The accident occurred on 29 January at around 7 p.m. in front of a 7-Eleven in Soi Khukwang 11, when the family arrived at the shop on a white Vespa with Bangkok licence plates. According to the 31-year-old rider Chanittha, the scooter’s engine was still running as two passengers had already dismounted and the four-year-old, seated at the front, was about to get off.
Child twists throttle, scooter smashes glass door
At that moment, the child accidentally turned the throttle, causing the scooter to lurch forward and crash through the glass door into the sales area. The impact destroyed the glass front, and both Chanittha and her niece suffered arm and leg injuries from flying glass shards.
Police and rescue teams respond to emergency call
Officers from the Khu-Bang-Luang police station, municipal paramedics and volunteers from the Poh-Teck-Tung Foundation arrived shortly after an employee reported that a motorcycle had driven into the entrance. Rescue workers treated the aunt and child at the scene before taking them to Krung Siam St. Carlos Hospital for further care.
Investigation and liability for damages
Police questioned staff at the 7-Eleven and recorded statements from the injured while the damaged scooter was towed to the Khu-Bang-Luang station. Investigators said they intended to continue examining the course of events and clarify with those involved who would be responsible for the damage to the store.
Similar car crash reported in Suphan Buri
Almost at the same time, authorities reported another incident in which a car suddenly drove into a well-known supermarket at the Pho-Phra-Ya market in Mueang district of Suphan Buri province. In that crash, two people were injured, the front of the car was severely damaged, and shelves with cosmetics, consumer goods, checkouts and other items in the market were destroyed.
Debate over inattentiveness and responsibility
The incidents raised questions about how brief inattentiveness can lead to serious accidents with significant damage.
“A running engine, a brief moment – and suddenly a scooter races into a shop. Two people are injured, the damage is considerable.”
said ThaiRath, source report.
“Should vehicles always be switched off as soon as children are sitting on them – or was this simply a tragic split-second mistake?”
said ThaiRath, source report.