PHUKET: A woman riding pillion on a motorcycle was killed when struck from behind by a truck in a section of Phuket's Bypass Road in Phuket City that is well-known for speeding traffic.
The woman, Cho Than, 35, of Mon ethnicity, died outside the Phuket International Hospital about 4pm when a Supercheap truck hit the motorcycle being ridden by her husband, Wentan, 36.
He was wearing a helmet and survived.
The driver of the truck, Sukawimon Kanboon, 34, told police that he was returning to the main Supercheap store after dropping off produce at a branch outlet in Karon, on the west coast of Phuket.
He said he thought the motorcycle, travelling in the right lane, was about to swing into a section of the road outside the hospital that was once a turning point, but has been blocked to larger vehicles for safety reasons.
It's a fast downhill stretch. Motorcyclists sometimes do use the partially blocked median section to make turns.
Khun Wentan said that he and his wife had been visiting friends near Central Festival Phuket and were heading home to Mai Khao, north of Phuket airport.
Police said both the motorcyclists had legal work permits and the rider had a motorcycle licence.
Seven deaths were recorded on Phuket's roads in June, the latest monthly figure available. Total death for the first six months of the year on Phuket reached 65, half last year's full year toll of 130.
The woman, Cho Than, 35, of Mon ethnicity, died outside the Phuket International Hospital about 4pm when a Supercheap truck hit the motorcycle being ridden by her husband, Wentan, 36.
He was wearing a helmet and survived.
The driver of the truck, Sukawimon Kanboon, 34, told police that he was returning to the main Supercheap store after dropping off produce at a branch outlet in Karon, on the west coast of Phuket.
He said he thought the motorcycle, travelling in the right lane, was about to swing into a section of the road outside the hospital that was once a turning point, but has been blocked to larger vehicles for safety reasons.
It's a fast downhill stretch. Motorcyclists sometimes do use the partially blocked median section to make turns.
Khun Wentan said that he and his wife had been visiting friends near Central Festival Phuket and were heading home to Mai Khao, north of Phuket airport.
Police said both the motorcyclists had legal work permits and the rider had a motorcycle licence.
Seven deaths were recorded on Phuket's roads in June, the latest monthly figure available. Total death for the first six months of the year on Phuket reached 65, half last year's full year toll of 130.
[quote]
He said he thought the motorcycle, travelling in the right lane, was about to swing into a section of the road outside the hospital that was once a turning point, but has been blocked to larger vehicles for safety reasons.
[/quote]
In other words, he was travelling too fast or too close to the motorbike to avoid them.....
RIP - Another totally unnecessary death on the Phuket roads.
Simon
Posted by Simon Luttrell on August 13, 2011 18:24