NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A teenager was killed and his young friend seriously injured when their motorcycle hit a lorry during an illegal race on a highway in Thung Yai district early on Tuesday morning.
The dead youth was identified only as Jakrapong, 16, and injured boy as Theerawat, 14.
Eyewitnesses said they were among about 50 teens who were racing about 20 motorcycles on the main highway, Route 41, in tambon Prik about 1.30am. The younger boy, Theerawat, was driving and Jakrapong was riding pillion.
Truck driver Jamnian Thongklod, 51, said the racers were overtaking his 10-wheeler. He heard a loud noise he mistook it for a burst tyre. Later a van caught up with him and the driver informed him a motorcycle had rear-ended his truck.
Van driver Anant Chuaikerd, 60, said Theerawat's motorcycle first hit the rear of the lorry. Both youths fell on to the highway and his van ran over them. The truck dragged the motorcycle about 100 metres along the road.
