Road Traffic Investigation of the Van Crashing with the Trailer, Chum Phae District, Khon Kaen Province, 15th May 2019

Abstract

On 15^th May 2019, the Operating Center for Road Safety of Chum Phae District was notified by Chum Phae Hospital that a van had crashed with a trailer on highway 228, Chum Phae - Si Chomphu, at the intersection to Sok Kong village. The investigation of the injury and death from the case was performed in cooperation with the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 7, Khon Kaen, to describe the event, analyze factors affecting injury and death, and make the suggestions to prevent accidents and reducing injuries and death. The data was collected from medical records, interviewing the injured, the staffs of rescue team, and analyzed the factors of injuries and deaths with the Haddon Matrix Model.

            The result found that the accident happened on 15^th May 2019 at 05.30 AM while the van was running to the right lane and suddenly crashed with the trailer that was running in opposite direction, causing 5 deaths and 3 injuries from all 9 victims.  Most of the dead were seated on the right side of the van, which was hit by the trailer, and died of chest injuries. Most of the injured had fractured extremities. Drowsy driving of the van driver was probable main cause of the accident since the absence of skid mark and yaw mark at the scene, and several time of side rocking along the trip of the van. Modification of the van with absence of seat belt fastening of the passengers increased severity of the injuries and leaded to death. Awareness on van safety with regulations on evaluation of vehicle modification, seat belt fastening, and time limitation of van driver, using profile marking, automotive technology, and lane expansion were suggested to prevent accident and reduce injury or risk of death.