A 46-year-old man lost his life after saving his wife and four children when their pickup truck plunged into an irrigation canal following a near collision in Chai Nat, Thailand.
The incident occurred at about 4.40pm on April 19, 2026, in Moo 1, Thiang Thae Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District. Police said the vehicle, a black Nissan Navara, veered off the road after swerving to avoid a white sedan that suddenly cut into its path from a village junction.
According to authorities, the pickup skidded for over 10 metres before crashing into the canal, where strong currents quickly submerged the vehicle almost entirely.
The driver, identified as Mr Panya, also known as “Chang Kob”, an air-conditioning technician and assistant village headman, managed to push his wife and four passengers to safety as the vehicle sank. A nearby farmer also assisted in pulling the victims out of the water.
However, after ensuring everyone else had escaped, the man became exhausted and was swept away by the current. Rescue divers later recovered his body about 500 metres from the crash site.
His daughter, who survived the incident, broke down in tears, expressing guilt and saying her father should not have risked his life to save her. Meanwhile, his wife collapsed at the scene and required CPR before being rushed to hospital together with their seven-year-old child.
Police confirmed that the white sedan involved fled the scene immediately after the incident. Investigations are ongoing, with officers reviewing CCTV footage to identify and track down the driver.
The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination as authorities continue efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
