The calm of an otherwise ordinary Sunday drive was abruptly shattered on a Bangkok-bound expressway in Samut Prakan, where the tranquility was pierced by a rogue steel plate with catastrophic precision. The windshield of a car succumbed to the ferocity of the flying metal, sitting mere moments later as a testament to the bizarre and dangerous unpredictability of the open road. (Photos: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)
On this fateful day, the normally sedate Burapha Withi (Bang Na-Bang Pakong) expressway, specifically near the 19th kilometer marker in tambon Bang Chalong of Bangphli district, became the scene of an ordeal for one unsuspecting driver. At around 6 PM, Ms. Pranee Rungsuksai, a 52-year-old woman with a mission to pick up her daughter in bustling Bangkok, was thrust into an emergency none could have predicted.
As authorities and rescue workers converged on the scene, they found Ms. Pranee in a distressing state – her neck and cheek marred by bloody lacerations. Her white Toyota car had come to a halt on Thepharat Road (Bang Na-Trat) beneath the elevated expressway, a silent witness to the havoc that had unfolded. The rescue crew swiftly administered first aid to Ms. Pranee’s injuries before she was whisked away to a nearby hospital for more comprehensive care.
Upon closer inspection, the origin of her ordeal was clear: a gaping hole in the driver’s side of the windshield marked the entry point of the menacing projectile. Inside the vehicle lay a steel plate – a surprising intruder measuring approximately 13 centimeters in both width and length, with a solid thickness of 2.5 centimeters.
Recounting the harrowing experience, Ms. Pranee disclosed the moments leading up to the incident. She had joined the expressway via the Bang Bo toll plaza, positioning her car in the middle lane. Flanked by two pickup trucks, one ahead and the other to her right, she could not have anticipated the danger that lay ahead. Out of nowhere, the steel plate breached her windshield, the impact striking the right portion and inflicting cuts upon her neck and right cheek.
The shock of the moment was palpable. Hurt and dazed, Ms. Pranee fought to maintain her composure. Mustering her courage, she navigated her car off the elevated expressway, executing a calm U-turn before parking and awaiting aid. Her quick thinking spared further catastrophe.
Reflecting on the accident, Ms. Pranee recounted previous instances of her vehicle being pelted by stones, yet the gravity of this incident left her pondering her sheer luck. She shivered at the thought of what could have transpired had the steel plate struck the central axis of her face.
This alarming episode serves as a stark reminder of the unforeseen perils that can unfold on the road, transforming an ordinary drive into a scene of unexpected drama and danger. While Ms. Pranee’s fortitude saw her through the notably unusual misfortune, it highlights the necessity for vigilance and preparedness, for even on the most well-trodden paths, the unexpected can lie in wait.
Wow, that sounds terrifying! How does a steel plate just end up flying around on an expressway?
Construction negligence, perhaps? These things shouldn’t happen if protocols are followed.
You’d be surprised at the lack of oversight on some projects. Corners are cut all the time.
I guess, but it’s still so terrifying. Makes you think twice about driving on those roads.
Probably fell off a truck. These incidents are more common than you think.
Poor Ms. Pranee! She must have been petrified. Glad she reacted so swiftly despite the injuries.
This is why we need stricter regulations for transporting materials on roads. Public safety should come first!
More regulations? We already have enough. Just need better enforcement.
Enforcement is part of regulation. They go hand in hand. Without proper laws, how do you enforce anything?
Agree with Kaylee, we don’t need more layers of bureaucracy. Focus on enforcement.
Her quick thinking was impressive. Imagine others panicking and causing an even bigger accident!
Exactly! She kept her cool under immense stress. Not many could do that.
I’m skeptical about how this could have happened. Seems highly improbable.
What’s there to be skeptical about? Freak accidents do happen. This just sounds like one.
Still, the odds are astronomically low. Feels like there might be more to this story.
Imagine if it had hit the middle of her face, she could have died. It’s almost like a Final Destination scene.
Let’s not make light of this, Sci-FiFan. It’s a serious situation, not a movie plot.
Are these expressways even safe? Seems like driving on them is a gamble with your life!
No place is completely safe. It’s about managing risks. Accidents can happen anywhere.
True, but the frequency of such bizarre accidents seems high. It’s unsettling.
I hope she gets compensated. This is a clear case of someone’s negligence.
This raises so many questions about infrastructure safety. Are our roads even maintained properly?
They aren’t. Maintenance is often overlooked until something disastrous happens.
Exactly why we need periodic audits and accountability in the maintenance departments.
How can they let such dangerous materials be so unsecured? Someone needs to pay for this.
The article mentioned she had previous incidents with her car. Maybe there’s some bad luck involved?
Bad luck or not, safety protocols should be in place to prevent any kind of incident.
I agree, but sometimes things happen that are out of anyone’s control.
Ms. Pranee’s reaction was definitely commendable. I would have been too shaken up to think straight.
This is what happens when we don’t fix our infrastructure problems. Just wait until it happens again and it’s fatal.
Alarmist much? Accidents happen everywhere. We just need to improve, not scare people.
If alarming people gets the job done, then so be it. Better safe than sorry.
Why were there so many loose materials around in the first place? Sounds fishy.
Might have been a load slip. But it does seem like there’s a lapse in protocol somewhere.
Loose materials? This is gross negligence.
Sometimes you just can’t predict the crazy things that can happen on the road.
That’s the scary part, isn’t it? Makes the daily commute feel like a gamble.