CHAIYAPHUM: Three elderly people in a pickup were killed when a 22-wheeler's trailer broke loose on a curve, hurtled over the median strip and smashed into their truck.
The deadly accident happened on Highway 2054 in tambon Huai Yang of Khon Sawan late Thursday night.
Three people from Kaeng Khro district travelling the front seat of their silver Ford pickup truck were immediately crushed to death. They were Prasong Nomyaso, 62, Bualong Aksornsuea, 86, and Somkhuan Pada, 70. Two passengers travelling on the back were injured.
One the injured passengers said they were returning home after going fishing.
Police and emergency responders called to the scene found the disconnected trailer overturned on the road near a curve in the highway. The truck tractor, registered in Nakhon Patom province, was parked about 500 metres away. Its 33-year-old driver, Thongchai Khiannok, was waiting for the police.
Pol Capt Sommat Deemul, from Chong Sam Mor station, said the driver confirmed his 22-wheel trailer truck lost its trailer at the curve and caused the fatal accident.