Crane Falls from Rama II Expressway, Injuring Driver
SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand – A six-wheeler crane plunged from an under-construction expressway on Rama II Road early Friday morning, crushing a moving pickup truck and injuring its driver.
The incident occurred at 2:45 AM on the Bang Khunthian-Ban Phaeo section of the M82 inter-city motorway. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the crane truck, which had Rayong license plates, tipped over and blocking a traffic lane toward Bangkok.
Nearby, a white Toyota Revo pickup truck, carrying medical supplies, suffered severe damage on its right side. The driver, 36-year-old Natthaphon Khun-amsa, sustained injuries and was rushed to Ekachai Hospital by the Samut Sakhon Rescue Foundation.
Accident Under Investigation
Preliminary reports suggest that the crane had been parked at the construction site but slipped and fell onto the road below. Pol Col Arnon Thippawan, chief of Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station, confirmed that witnesses and the crane operator have been summoned for questioning.
Authorities temporarily closed the road to remove the fallen crane, but traffic resumed as normal by morning.
Ongoing Safety Concerns on Rama II Road
This accident adds to a growing list of construction-related incidents on Rama II Road, a vital highway connecting Bangkok to Thailand’s southern region.
In March, a beam collapse on the Rama III-Dao Khanong Expressway construction site killed six people and injured 24 others. Other major accidents include:
- Nov 29, 2023 – A sling broke, killing six and injuring eight.
- Jan 18, 2023 – A crane’s lifting basket fell, killing one worker.
- May 2023 – A worker was crushed by a falling concrete slab.
From 2018 to March 2024, Rama II Road has recorded over 2,500 accidents, leading to 144 deaths and 1,440 injuries, according to the Department of Highways.
With frequent construction delays and accidents, concerns are mounting over safety measures and infrastructure reliability. Officials continue to face pressure to improve safety protocols before more lives are lost.
