Seven injured in van crash while travelling to vote in Nakhon Ratchasima

2026-02-08 - 08:26

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 8 February 2026, Voters injured in a van crash on Mittraphap Road in Nakhon Ratchasima were travelling home to cast their ballots when the driver reportedly fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle. Pol. Lt. Col. Saichon Dongruangsi, an investigator at Klang Dong Police Station, said the accident occurred on Mittraphap Road between km 39 and km 40 inbound to Nakhon Ratchasima, in Phaya Yen subdistrict. The van mounted the central median before slamming into a large steel highway signpost and a power pole. After receiving the report, police alerted senior officers and rushed to the scene with Pol. Col. Apiwat Natong, superintendent of Klang Dong Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Eakmanas Wongkham, traffic inspector, traffic police and rescue teams from Klang Dong Municipality and Simamongkol Subdistrict Municipality. At the scene, officers found a bronze Toyota van heavily damaged on the median. The front of the vehicle was crushed, trapping the driver inside. Rescue workers used hydraulic cutting equipment to free him and assist the passengers. All seven occupants, three men and four women, were injured. Ms. Warin Phayaksa, 30, one of the passengers, said the group had been working on Koh Samui in Surat Thani and were travelling back to vote in the election in Phu Khiao district, Chaiyaphum. She said most passengers were asleep when the van began swerving before crashing into the signpost. All sustained minor injuries. Pol. Lt. Col. Saichon said the driver, Mr. Sa-at Leepa, 54, told police he had been driving a long distance and became fatigued, briefly dozing off before losing control of the vehicle. All seven injured passengers were taken to Pak Chong Nana Hospital for treatment. Police photographed the scene for evidence and towed the van to Klang Dong Police Station for inspection as part of legal proceedings. Paramedics treat the injured at the scene