66-Year-Old Truck Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Causing Rollover That Kills Myanmar Worker Buried Under 16 Tons of Salt

Samut Songkhram — A 66-year-old truck driver suffered a severe asthma attack while driving, prompting him to reach for his inhaler before losing control of the vehicle. The truck flipped on its side along Amphawa Road, with 16 tons of salt crushing a Myanmar worker to death.

On May 26, 2026, investigative police sergeant Subanit Meepun from Yi Sarn Police Station responded to a report of a fatal truck rollover along the Yi Sarn-Bang Taboon Road heading toward Rama 2 Road in Tambon Yi Sarn, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. Emergency responders from Sawaengbenja Thammasamutsonghram Foundation discovered a 10-wheel Isuzu truck bearing Phetchburi license plate 81-6966 overturned on its side. Approximately 16 tons of salt had crushed Cha Min Thu, a 31-year-old Myanmar national, who died beneath the cargo. Rescue workers had to use equipment to carefully remove the salt and recover the victim's body.

Initial investigation revealed that Somsak Jaisamad, 66, a resident of Ban Kum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phetchburi Province, was operating the salt truck carrying 16 tons of cargo from Ban Laem District, Phetchburi Province, destined for Laem Fa Pha District, Samut Prakan Province. Cha Min Thu was resting on top of the salt cargo in the truck bed. When the driver reached the accident location, he experienced a severe asthma attack and bent down to use his inhaler, causing him to lose control of the steering. The truck veered off the road and flipped over, with both the vehicle and salt cargo crushing the worker to death.

Police collected evidence at the scene and are conducting a detailed investigation with the driver. Authorities are also coordinating with a medical examiner to proceed with legal proceedings.