Chaos broke out at a popular Pattaya viewpoint when a pickup truck suddenly tore through railings and plunged onto the beach below.
The dramatic incident happened on Saturday afternoon during the busy Songkran long weekend. An 83-year-old Swedish man lost control of his vehicle at Yinyom Beach Viewpoint in Jomtien, an area packed with Thai and foreign tourists, The Thaiger reports.
Witnesses said the black pickup veered off course at around 4pm. It slammed into two parked motorcycles before smashing through metal barriers. The vehicle then plunged around three metres down to the sand, coming to a stop near a line of blue buoys.
Panic spread quickly among visitors gathered to enjoy the sea view. Debris from the wrecked railings and damaged vehicles was scattered across the scene.
One tourist was injured when struck by a piece of flying metal. The person was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of the injuries has not been disclosed.
The driver, identified as Hans, sustained chest injuries. Authorities noted that he has a pacemaker and believe a medical episode may have caused him to lose control.
He was unable to give a clear statement at the scene due to shock and disorientation.
A witness, 30-year-old Kaewkanya, said her foreign boyfriend had been watching the sunset when they suddenly heard a vehicle accelerating. Moments later, it crashed into the parked motorcycles and struck him.
Police are now reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. Investigators are working to determine whether the crash was caused by a medical condition or another factor.
