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The taxi wrapped around the pole after crashing at speed on Phuket

Photo by phuketwan.com

Phuket Taxi Driver, Speeding to Airport Call, Dies Wrapped Around Pole

By Sert Tongdee

Friday, January 18, 2013

PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver was speeding to pick up a passenger when his vehicle ran off Phuket's main north-south highway on a notorious curve today, police believe.

Paramedics used the ''jaws of life'' to try to free Vorasak Rungswang, 29, from the vehicle but it took them one hour.

Khun Vorasak, alive when rescue workers began to cut him free, was dead by the time he could be removed.

The impact of the crash when his taxi ran off Thepkasattri Road at the Mak Prok curves left the vehicle bend around a power pole about 12.45pm.

Police believe Khun Vorasak, on the taxi rank at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa in Mai Khao, on Phuket's holiday west coast, was responding to a request to pick up passengers at Phuket International Airport.

His body was taken to Thalang Hospital, in central Phuket.

Comments

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Im surprised that this doesnt happen more regularly the way that these taxis drive to and from the airport.

RIP anyway.

Posted by Glen on January 19, 2013 06:31

@ Glen, exactly my thoughts as I was reading this article.

Rod.

Posted by Rod on January 19, 2013 07:24

Looking at the picture it's obvious he hit it at very high speed. I wonder if the police would draw conclusions and perhaps start setting up speed traps along the main road leading to the airport.

Drivers on Phuket ignore the traffic laws because they can. How about if the traffic police actually did some policing.

Posted by Andrew on January 19, 2013 08:56

whats the big hurry another taxi may steal the fare? when will these driving attitudes end.

Posted by slickmelb on January 19, 2013 10:38

I have no sympathy for this driver only his family. Do you know the amount of times I have been bullied into moving lanes because of taxi drivers like this who tailgate and flash their lights. good riddance one less on the road.

Posted by yozza on January 19, 2013 11:26

I have actually had to tell taxi drivers to slow down for my own safety. If they refuse, I tell them there will be no tip. Only safe & sensible driving should be rewarded with a tip.

Posted by Logic on January 19, 2013 14:25

If you weren't there how can you make a judgement as to what happened?
It's common for people to speed everywhere...but always arrive late!
RIP, the emergency services always try their best to save lives every day.

Posted by Anonymous on January 19, 2013 15:54