CHAI NAT — A father died after sacrificing his life to save his family of four when their pickup truck plunged into a canal following a sudden road incident in Chai Nat province.
Police were alerted at 16:40 on 19 April 2026, to a serious accident in Moo 1, Tieng Tae subdistrict, Sankhaburi district, Chai Nat province. A Nissan Navara pickup truck had veered off the road and fallen into a irrigation canal, leaving one person missing and several others injured.
Rescue teams from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation in Chai Nat and divers were urgently deployed to the scene. The vehicle was found submerged with only its roof visible in fast-moving water, while skid marks more than 10 metres long were visible on the road.
After around 10 minutes of searching, divers recovered the body of 46-year-old Panya Thoengklip, known locally as “Chang Kob,” a technician and assistant village headman of Moo 6, Tieng Tae subdistrict. His body was found about 500 metres from the crash site. The scene was described as heartbreaking, with relatives crying uncontrollably as his body was brought ashore.
His daughter, Natsuda Thoengklip, recounted the final moments in tears, saying the family of five — her father, mother, younger sibling, her partner, and herself — had been travelling to buy supplies in the district after her father finished a repair job.
She said a white sedan suddenly pulled out from a side road, cutting in front of their vehicle. Her father swerved to avoid a collision, causing the pickup to lose control and plunge into the canal.
As the vehicle began to sink, he reportedly used his final strength to push all four family members to safety. A local farmer who witnessed the crash helped pull them ashore.
However, after ensuring everyone had escaped, he lost strength and was swept away by the strong current.
“Dad shouldn’t have saved me,” Natsuda said through tears.
His wife collapsed at the scene and required CPR before being rushed to hospital along with their seven-year-old daughter.
The white sedan involved in the incident fled the scene immediately. Police have collected evidence and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and locate the driver for legal proceedings.
The victim’s body has been sent for a detailed autopsy at Sawanpracharak Hospital’s forensic institute.
