BANGKOK (ANN/THE NATION) – A 53-year-old man lost his life on Wednesday morning after being struck by a passenger train while filming a video for his YouTube channel.
The victim, identified as Wirot Arayankeht, was a resident of Ratchaburi’s Muang district. The incident occurred at 8.20am on the Chulalongkorn Bridge, which spans the Mae Klong River in the Na Muang subdistrict of Muang district, according to Pol Major Phusanika Chantharat from the Ratchaburi Muang Police Station.
Wirot had reportedly informed his wife, Wadee, that he was heading out to create video content for his Facebook page and YouTube channel, “Pai Nai Pai Kun Nam Mun Mai Tong Sai” (Go Anywhere Without Petrol), which promotes eco-friendly travel using bicycles. His Facebook page had gained modest popularity with around 23,000 followers and 717 likes, while his YouTube channel had 140 subscribers.
According to police, the accident involved a Prachuap Khiri Khan-Thonburi passenger train. The train crushed Wirot’s bicycle and dragged his body for approximately 50 meters before coming to a halt. Items including Wirot’s smartphone, tripod, and other equipment were found scattered near the scene.
The train driver, a 58-year-old identified only as Noppadon, told police he had seen Wirot sitting on the tracks filming his video. Despite sounding the horn to warn him, Wirot was unable to move in time, and the train could not stop quickly enough to avoid the collision.
“I got off the train and found that he had been crushed. I immediately called my supervisor and the police,” Noppadon recounted.
Security camera footage revealed that Wirot had placed his bicycle on the tracks at approximately 7.39am, nearly an hour before the accident occurred.
Wirot’s last Facebook post, uploaded before the incident, received a few reactions, including 13 sad emojis and several messages of condolence. His untimely death has left his followers and local community shocked.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Police have also urged the public to exercise caution and avoid using train tracks as filming locations due to the inherent dangers.
