A train collision at Wang Yen Railway Station in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, left multiple passengers injured, including a seven-year-old British girl. The incident occurred when a locomotive struck a six-carriage train, causing windows to shatter and passengers to be thrown from their seats. Reports indicate that 13 passengers were hospitalized, while 20 others sustained minor injuries. Among the injured were three British nationals, including the young girl. The injured passengers were distributed between Phahol Pholpayuhasena Hospital and Thanakarn Hospital, with one individual in an economy carriage suffering a skull fracture, as per Thairath Online.
According to a witness speaking to Khaosod English, chaos ensued as the impact caused passengers to be tossed around inside the carriages. The witness described a scene where Thai and foreign tourists were jolted violently, leading to injuries such as head impacts against windows and falls to the floor. The incident occurred during a routine locomotive swap stop at Wang Yen Station, around 5 pm, as confirmed by Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station authorities.
Investigations revealed that a malfunction in the shunter locomotive’s brakes, responsible for moving train carriages during the swap process, led to the collision. The faulty brakes caused the locomotive to reverse uncontrollably, resulting in the collision with the stationary carriages, reported by the Thai Examiner. Subsequently, a replacement locomotive was dispatched to tow the carriages, with some passengers still aboard, back to Kanchanaburi Station.
Following the incident, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) organized transportation for 70 passengers to Kanchanaburi Station and the River Kwai Bridge. SRT issued an apology for the crash and announced plans for a thorough inspection of the locomotive’s mechanical systems by engineers.
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