Motorcycle Plunges into 5-Meter Deep Water Pipe Pit; Man Escapes, Woman Critically Injured
A motorcycle plunged into a 5-meter-deep water pipe pit on a Bangkok road on April 25, critically injuring a 49-year-old woman while the male driver escaped; authorities are investigating whether adequate warning signs were posted at the co
On April 26, 2569, Deputy Inspector Noprat Bunsri of Rattanathebesorn Police Station revealed that at 11 p.m. on April 25, officers received a report of a motorcycle that had plunged into an underground water pipe pit on Pracha Chuen Road near Pracha Chuen 4 Alley, Bang Khen Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. They rushed to the scene with volunteers from the Po Teck Tung Foundation.
The accident occurred on a four-lane road on the inbound side toward the Phong Phetchburi intersection. Water utility workers had opened a pit measuring 2 meters wide, 4 meters long, and 5 meters deep to lay large underground water pipes. Two people had fallen into the pit along with a motorcycle, with one person managing to climb out.
Rescue teams then used rappelling equipment to lower personnel and retrieve the other victim, identified as Ratchasunee (surname withheld), 49 years old, who was suffering from serious head injuries. She was transported to Mongkutwattana Hospital. The black and red Honda PCX motorcycle bearing Bangkok license plates was also recovered from the pit.
When questioned, driver Manop (surname withheld), 50 years old, stated he could not see the pit opening and his motorcycle plunged in. He had been driving to drop off his younger companion at a condominium. After falling in, he managed to climb out but was concerned about his companion still in the pit.
Eighteen-year-old worker Danai (surname withheld) stated that at the time of the accident, he was sitting on the back of a 10-wheel truck near the pit's edge. When he saw the motorcycle fall in, he initially spotted only a man, who later climbed out. Upon checking again, he found a woman unconscious in the water. He then entered the pit and held her above the water line.
Footage from security cameras showed that water pipe workers had used a 10-wheel truck to block the leftmost lane while opening the pit, allowing traffic to use the right lanes with traffic cones placed in a line. At 10:37 p.m., the injured motorcyclist's vehicle sped into the pit before the driver climbed out to call for help.
Police plan to summon the water pipe work supervisor for questioning and will investigate whether proper warning signs and lights were posted during the work. The two injured victims will be questioned after receiving medical treatment.
