Large Road Sign Collapses, Causing Severe Motorcycle Accident Injuring 3 People

On February 1, 2024, Radio Center 191 received a report of a road sign accident on the Mittraphap Road (heading into Bangkok) near the overpass to Lopburi province in Pak Phriao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Saraburi Province. Rescue workers from the Sawang Rattanatrai Dharmasathan Foundation arrived at the scene. The massive road sign, measuring 9 meters high and 8 meters wide and weighing around 1 ton, had fallen and blocked the road. A white and red Yamaha Spark motorcycle without license plates was traveling at high speed and crashed directly into the fallen sign, causing the bike to skid approximately 10 meters and resulting in serious injuries to three people. The injured included a 17-year-old male driver, a 13-year-old female passenger in the middle, and an elderly woman aged 50-60 sitting at the back. Road workers who witnessed the incident immediately provided assistance and traffic control. Initial investigations revealed that all mounting nuts for the sign were missing, likely stolen to be sold as scrap metal. This caused the sign to collapse during strong winds and resulted in the accident. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify and prosecute the bolt thieves. Artit Phoomrat, a 42-year-old road worker, reported immediately placing traffic cones and helping the critically injured victims before they were rushed to Saraburi Hospital for emergency treatment.