The final tally of death and injuries during the seven-day period was recorded by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office (DDPM-Phuket), released yesterday (Jan 5).
The last victim of the campaign was Phuket resident Kwanjit Chawee-in, 47, who was struck by a car while riding her motorbike without a helmet in front of the Mae Somjit market in Karon at about 5am on Monday.
“After speaking with witnesses and checking CCTV, we learned that Ms Kwanjit was travelling in the same direction as a car following behind her, which struck her as she cut across to make a right turn into the market,” said Lt Chamaiporn Supakom of the Karon Police.
“The driver of the car sped off from the scene, but soon after presented himself at Karon Police Station,” she added.
“The driver tested negative for alcohol, but was charged for reckless driving and for leaving the scene of an accident, pending further investigation” Lt Chamaipon confirmed.
Ms Kwanjit was the sole fatality of the final day of the campaign, with one man and six women also receiving hospital treatment for injuries sustained in road accidents in the same 24-hour period.
The final report issued by the DDPM-Phuket office noted the death of tourist Yazeed Munieb Mustafa, 28, from Jordan who died after a single-vehicle accident on Phra Baramee Rd, in Patong, at 1:45pm on December 29.
He was pronounced dead at Vachira Phuket Hospital at 1:30pm on December 31.
“Although Mr Yazeed died on December 31, the DDPM was not notified of his death until Monday, hence he was not added to the casualty list until the very end,” Pattareeya Kumban, DDPM-Phuket’s Planning and Policy Specialist, told The Phuket News.
“According the police report, the motorbike Mr Yazeed was riding struck the kerb on Phra Baramee Rd, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground,” said Ms Phatareeya.
“He suffered serious head injuries as he was not wearing a helmet at the time and was rushed to Patong Hospital, and later transferred to Vachira hospital in Phuket Town.
“Police believe alcohol was involved in the accident,” she added.
During the Seven Days of Danger campaign in Phuket during last year’s New Year holidays, two people were killed and 45 received hospital treatment for injuries in 44 road accidents. (See story here.)
Nationwide, the Seven Days campaign this year closed with higher tolls than a year ago in all three major categories: 380 deaths, compared to 341 deaths in 2015, 3,379 traffic accidents and 3,505 people injured. (See story here.)
This year, Nakhon Ratchasima suffered the worst casualty rate in the country, with 15 dead over the seven days.
Nakhon Sawan, Chonburi and Udon Thani all ranked equal second-worst with 13 dead in each province during the week, while Chiang Mai, Buriram and Suphan Buri provinces each lost 12 lives to road accidents during the period.