Car crashes into Kanchanaburi childcare centre, injuring 16 (video)

A car collided with the rear wall of a Kanchanaburi childcare centre, injuring 16 people, most of them young children, on August 7. The incident occurred at the Ban Nong Song Ton childcare centre, operated by the Kaeng Siao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Mueang district, at 11:45am. Police reported that the driver, Chatchawan Panthum from Nong Khao subdistrict in Tha Muang district, suffered a sudden medical episode while driving.

Almost 50 children were present at the centre when the crash happened, having just finished lunch and settled for their afternoon nap. Upon impact, 20 children were unharmed and reunited with their parents, while 14 children and two adults from the car, who were relatives, were taken to Phahonpolphayuhasena Hospital. The injured children sustained cuts to their heads and mouths and bruising from being struck by concrete fragments that broke off the wall.

Police found a black Honda Civic registered in Kanchanaburi at the scene. The driver, Chatchawan, had been speeding from Moo 6 in Kaeng Siao subdistrict when he lost control on a bend, crashing through the centre's rear wall, then spinning into a stand of banana plants before coming to a stop. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation.

The Kanchanaburi governor visited the hospital along with the subdistrict chief to check on the injured children and their families, directing staff to provide full medical care and urging agencies to assist affected families urgently. All injured individuals are currently under medical care. Further updates on the investigation are expected as it continues.