4 killed when tourist train hits pickup in Phetchaburi

4 killed when tourist train hits pickup in Phetchaburi

A pickup truck was destroyed after it was hit by a tourist train in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi on Friday. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaeam)
A pickup truck was destroyed after it was hit by a tourist train in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi on Friday. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaeam)

Four people were killed when their pickup truck was hit by a Hua Hin-bound tourist train in Phetchaburi on Friday.

The truck was traversing an illegal crossing in Cha-am district when the special train from Bangkok to Suan Son Padiphat with 140 tourists aboard struck the vehicle and pushed it 700 metres down the track.

Police and the State Railway of Thailand said four people on the truck died in the clash, all from Nan. All train passengers were unhurt.

Sayumpu Sutthikul, a duty officer at Cha-am police station, and SRT governor Wutthichart Kalayanamitr said the crossing was illegally built.

The governor said the train agency had told the Cha-am municipality office to shut the crossing as a legal alternative with automatic barrier was only 150 metres away. But local residents still opposed the closure.

Pol Capt Sayumpu said the truck driver could have been unfamiliar with the area and did not see the oncoming train. Evidence inside the truck indicated that they were soliciting donations for a foundation to help children and the poor in Nan.

The train was damaged and the passengers were transfered to buses to continue their trip, he added.

Trains to Suan Son Padiphat operate on weekends and holidays for tourists to visiting the army beach resort in Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (8)