Shortly before dawn on August 31, a construction mishap turned a quiet stretch of Rama 2 Road into a chaotic scene of twisted metal, emergency lights and anxious onlookers. At about 2:30 a.m., a crane working on the elevated road project at kilometre 27 inbound toward Bangkok toppled, dropping a 3-tonne orange steel beam onto a passing white single-cab pickup. The vehicle — carrying foam boxes and registered in Chon Buri — was crushed by the weight of the boom and beam, leaving two occupants trapped and several people injured.
Fast response, tense rescue
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Moolsongkiat of Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station received the call and rushed to the scene alongside fellow officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Sukhum Poethaisong. Rescue teams from the Samut Sakhon Charity Foundation and medical crews from Samut Sakhon Hospital, Ekachai Hospital and Mahachai Hospital arrived quickly to assess a hazardous situation complicated by live power lines.
Witnesses reported that two cranes were being used to lift the long metal beam into place on the elevated pillars when one machine lost its balance and toppled over. The crane’s boom slammed into the pickup in the adjacent lane while the extended length of the boom also struck high-voltage power lines, producing dangerous sparks and igniting a small fire.
Victims and extraction
The pickup’s driver suffered a cut above his eyebrow and a concussion; his female passenger escaped with abrasions and was understandably shaken. Both received on-site first aid before being taken to Samut Sakhon Hospital for further treatment. The crane operator, however, endured a harrowing ordeal: trapped inside the overturned cabin, he could not be safely removed until power to nearby lines was cut.
Authorities coordinated with the Provincial Electricity Authority in Samut Sakhon to shut down the affected high-voltage lines. Water trucks from the Tha Sai subdistrict administrative organisation doused flames and cooled sparks, allowing rescue teams to work without risk of electrocution. With the scene stabilised, crews extricated the crane driver, who sustained abrasions, and transported him to Samut Sakhon Hospital.
What went wrong?
Initial witness accounts and on-site investigators pointed to an apparent loss of balance by one of the cranes while lifting the beam into position. When the crane toppled, the boom and its heavy orange beam swung into the parallel lane, striking the white pickup and grazing the overhead power lines. The combination of impact, weight and live wires created a perilous rescue environment.
The construction contractor immediately alerted Samut Sakhon Highways and local police. Emergency services are working to cordon the area, inspect the equipment and ensure the construction site is secured to prevent further incidents.
Power outage and traffic disruption
The collision with the high-voltage cables prompted a precautionary power shutdown in the immediate area while repairs and safety checks were carried out. Early-morning commuters along Rama 2 Road toward Bangkok faced delays as authorities redirected traffic and cleared the scene. Road users are advised to expect ongoing lane closures and to follow traffic updates from local police and highway officials.
Investigation and next steps
Police said they will interview project officials and witnesses as part of a full investigation into the cause of the collapse. Authorities will also examine whether proper safety protocols were followed during the lift, if equipment was maintained correctly, and whether load and balance calculations were adequate for the operation. Legal proceedings may follow depending on the investigation’s findings, according to reports by KhaoSod.
Safety lessons
Crane operations are inherently high-risk, particularly when working near traffic and power infrastructure. This incident underscores the importance of rigorous site planning, redundant safety measures when handling long beams, and clear communication between lift crews. Ensuring exclusion zones, using tag lines to control loads and coordinating with utility providers in advance can help prevent boom-to-line contact and secondary hazards.
For now, the focus remains on the welfare of the injured and on a thorough probe to determine how a routine lift turned into a near-tragic collapse. Local authorities continue to manage the scene and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Source: Reporting on the scene by KhaoSod and statements from Samut Sakhon emergency services.
Unbelievable — how does a crane just tip over on a busy road? The pickup driver got lucky the injuries weren’t worse, but that could have been fatal.
Sounds like basic miscalculation of the load or improper outriggers; this is textbook crane failure territory.
Or maybe it’s cheaper equipment and shortcuts — companies cut corners all the time to save money, then we get this mess.
That may be true, but accusing companies without evidence is dangerous; the investigation should look at maintenance logs and lift plans before we point fingers.
This proves why utility coordination and exclusion zones are non-negotiable. Lives and traffic were endangered for what looks like an avoidable operation.
Agreed. From an engineering standpoint, lifts near energized lines require detailed hazard analyses, tag lines, and redundant controls. I hope investigators check whether a lift plan and competent lift supervisor were present.
Exactly — and the power company should have been notified and on-site if work was that close to high-voltage lines.
Sometimes the pressure to meet schedules pushes managers to skip pre-lift briefings. Human factors matter as much as equipment specs.
This is terrifying. People should not be allowed to work over open traffic without real protection.
True, but roadworks happen every day; the problem is enforcement of safety rules, not the concept of working near roads.
Legally, if negligence is found the contractor will face fines or charges, but victims should also have recourse for damages.
You can tell immediately there was a stability issue or improper rigging. Long beams create huge moment arms — the crane must be set up with counterweights and precise calculations.
Correct — and wind, ground conditions, and adjacent loads change the dynamics. I hope they preserved the crane’s data recorder and load charts for the probe.
If the boom contacted power lines and sparked, we have a layered failure: mechanical, electrical, and possibly procedural. A comprehensive accident investigation should include forensic examination of the crane, interviewed crew, and third-party auditors.
I hope they do. Those data and witness interviews will show whether it was a mechanical failure or human error.
I’m relieved the injured are getting care, but the emotional trauma for that passenger must be awful. Early morning commuters are innocent bystanders here.
I was there later that morning; people were shaking and angry. The road smelled of burnt wires and the traffic detour was chaotic for hours.
Thanks for sharing — local witness accounts will matter for the families and investigators.
From a public safety policy angle, this incident highlights systemic gaps in project risk management, especially for urban infrastructure adjacent to utilities.
Data-driven safety protocols and mandatory third-party lift oversight for critical lifts would reduce such incidents. Audits should be standard for any lift near energized infrastructure.
Regulatory enforcement is important, but so is the legal framework for accountability. If contractors breached statutory safety duties, criminal or civil liability must follow to incentivize compliance.
Exactly — policy, enforcement, and legal deterrents should align. Otherwise we keep treating symptoms instead of root causes.
Why is no one talking about corruption? Contractors win bids by underbidding, then they cut safety to hit margins. It’s a systemic issue.
Corruption could be a factor, but let’s not conflate all failures with bribery; poor planning and human error are common too.
Claims of corruption need evidence; the investigation should be thorough before public accusations.
Fair point — but I’m skeptical until transparency is shown. We’ve seen shady procurement before.
I know the area — the crew had been working through the night. Maybe fatigue played a role; night shifts are risky.
They were tired and hurried, heard people saying ‘we must finish’ to avoid daytime shutdown. That kind of culture is dangerous.
If fatigue is confirmed, that points to scheduling and management issues, not just equipment.
We secured the scene and coordinated with the power authority; safety was our priority while medical teams worked. Full investigations take time.
Appreciate the quick response by first responders. I hope evidence is preserved so victims can get answers.
We did preserve the site and seized relevant logs and photos; public updates will follow when the probe yields results.
This is why infrastructure projects need stricter oversight and independent safety officers.
Oversight is great in theory, but it adds cost and time; contractors often resist unless mandated.
Then make it mandatory — people’s lives shouldn’t be the variable you cut to save time.