Four killed en route to good-luck ritual

Local residents look at the wreckage of a pickup truck after it crashed into a utility pole in Phetchaburi on Saturday, killing four people. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaem)

PHETCHABURI — Four people were killed on Saturday when their pickup truck struck a power pole as they drove to a local soothsayer's home for a ritual to ward off bad luck.

The accident took place on Phetchakasem Road at Ban Nong village in tambon Nong Phrong of Khao Yoi district in Phetchaburi, said Pol Capt Nipon Sornnarin, a duty officer at the Khao Yoi police station.

The speeding pickup was about four kilometres from its destination when the crash occurred, he said. The force of the impact killed two men and two women instantly and seriously injured one man.

The bodies of the victims were trapped inside the wreckage and rescue workers had to use heavy-duty equipment to pry open the cab and retrieve the bodies.

The four dead victims were identified as driver Pitsanu Saramart; Ekkapol Chansing, 29; Thanaporn Phuto, 38; and Anong Aramkul, 65. The injured man was identifed as Atcha Aramkul, 38.

Offerings intended to be used for a supernatural rite were found scattered inside the vehicle.

Police said they learned that the rite the victims planned to attend had been scheduled to start at 7am, and they suspect the driver may have been speeding to get there on time.