Tree falls on farm tractor, 3 killed 5 hurt, in Tak

Three refugees were killed and five others hurt when an old tree fell on top of the cart pulled by this farm tractor near the Myanmar border in Umphang district, Tak, on Tuesday. The tree has been cleared away. (Photo by Assawin Pinitwong)

TAK: Three refugees, including a 4-year-old girl, riding on a farm tractor were killed and five others injured when a roadside tree fell on them as they travelled a road near the Myanmar border on Tuesday.

The tragic accident occurred between kilometre makers 67 and 68 in Umphang district. 

They were travelling in a cart pulled by a farm tractor when a large, old tree fell across the road late on  Tuesday morning, said Pratheep Portiam, chief of Umphang district.

Three of them died at the spot. They were identified as Ms Malabo, 40, Miss Muelapuai, 16, and 4-year-old Nor-aeda.

Five others were hurt, two of them seriously. The two badly-hurt men were identified as Thorkhochu and Mortor. They were rushed to a nearby health promotion hospital before being transferred to Umphang Hospital.

The victims were from Ban Nupho refugee camp, the district chief said.  

Workers remove the fallen tree from the road in Umphang district, Tak, after it fell on the farm tractor. (Photo by Assawin Pinitwong)

The crushed cart in which the refugees were riding. (Photo by Assawin Pinitwong)