PHUKET, THAILAND – A van driver ran over a fallen motorcyclist near Phuket International Airport in an early-morning chain collision and left the scene without offering help, police said.
Einsatz im Morgenverkehr bei Sakhu
At about 6:50 a.m., officers from the Sakhu Police Station were called to a traffic accident on the road from the airport, in front of the Nai Yang Ice Factory in Moo 1, Sakhu. The collision occurred during the morning commute near the busy airport approach road.
Deputy investigator Pol Lt Chapinya Suriyathamkul reported the incident to Pol Col Salan Santisasanakul. He then went to the scene together with rescue workers from the Kusoltham Phuket Foundation.
Kettenreaktion durch querenden Fußgänger
Witness Duangporn Champathong told police that a foreign pedestrian suddenly crossed the road shortly before the crash, forcing several vehicles to brake sharply. According to her account, the unexpected crossing triggered a chain reaction in the traffic flow.
A motorcycle travelling behind a van could not stop in time and slammed into the back of the vehicle. The rider fell onto the roadway as a result of the impact.
Zweiter Van verlässt Unfallort ohne anzuhalten
While the motorcyclist was lying on the road, a second van approached from behind, ran over him and continued driving. The driver did not stop and did not provide assistance.
CCTV footage, according to police, showed the braking of several vehicles, the impact of the motorcycle and the subsequent flight of the second van. Investigators said the recordings were central to identifying the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.
Opfer identifiziert – Rettungskräfte im Einsatz
The injured man was identified as Kritsada Champathong (39) from Mai Khao, who had been riding a Bangkok-registered motorcycle. He worked for Thai AirAsia in the aircraft parking area at the airport.
Rescue workers treated him at the scene before transporting him to Thalang Hospital. Doctors there treated injuries sustained in the crash and kept his condition under close observation.
Erstes Fahrzeug am Unfall ebenfalls beteiligt
At the scene, police met Worawit Panan (52) from Cherng Talay, the driver of the first van, which bore Phuket licence plates number 31-2626. He stated that he was involved in the accident and cooperated with investigators.
Unlike the driver of the second van, Worawit waited at the scene for police to arrive and made himself available for questioning. Officers documented damage and took initial statements from those present.
Polizei wertet Videoaufnahmen aus und sucht Zeugen
Investigators were reviewing video recordings from the area and interviewing witnesses to identify the driver of the second van. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries is a criminal offence in Thailand and can be punished with imprisonment.
The Sakhu Police Station called on anyone with relevant information to come forward. Motorists are legally required to stop and render assistance after an accident, officers reminded the public.