PHUKET: A young Phuket journalist and DJ has died after being knocked from his motorcycle and dragged under a pickup for 700 metres by a hit-run driver yesterday.
The horrific crash took place in Thepkasattri Road, Phuket's main artery, about 2.30pm yesterday.
Terdpong Putdhapitak, 29, was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi as he rode his motorcycle south, not far from the landmark SuperCheap store.
Khun Terdpong was trapped beneath the pickup as the driver crashed on, into a second motorcycle and then another pickup, before speeding off.
Khun Terdpong slipped to the roadway 700 metres further on. The pickup's numberplate also fell to the ground as the driver took off.
The badly injured young journalist, who worked for Siang Tai and was also a DJ for Blue Wave FM, was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City where he succumbed to internal injuries, with his limbs also broken.
The driver of the pickup, Amard Hemwopng, 58. later surrendered to officers at Phuket City Police Station.
Khun Terdpong's body is being taken home to Pattalung province today for cremation and burial.
Phuket Public Health ceased issuing monthly updates on Phuket's road toll in April 2012. Since then, people on Phuket have had no way of knowing whether measures designed to improve safety on Phuket's roads are working or not.
The horrific crash took place in Thepkasattri Road, Phuket's main artery, about 2.30pm yesterday.
Terdpong Putdhapitak, 29, was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi as he rode his motorcycle south, not far from the landmark SuperCheap store.
Khun Terdpong was trapped beneath the pickup as the driver crashed on, into a second motorcycle and then another pickup, before speeding off.
Khun Terdpong slipped to the roadway 700 metres further on. The pickup's numberplate also fell to the ground as the driver took off.
The badly injured young journalist, who worked for Siang Tai and was also a DJ for Blue Wave FM, was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City where he succumbed to internal injuries, with his limbs also broken.
The driver of the pickup, Amard Hemwopng, 58. later surrendered to officers at Phuket City Police Station.
Khun Terdpong's body is being taken home to Pattalung province today for cremation and burial.
Phuket Public Health ceased issuing monthly updates on Phuket's road toll in April 2012. Since then, people on Phuket have had no way of knowing whether measures designed to improve safety on Phuket's roads are working or not.
RIP- another tragic waste of life, compounded by the actions of the truck driver. I know its conjecture but if he had stopped straight away Khun Terdpong may not have sustained such horrific injuries and survived.
Cowardly drivers who do a runner from accidents should get a mandatory 5 years in prison (this is just a personal opinion). It happens in far too many cases in Phuket.
Posted by Mister Ree on August 1, 2013 12:33