A car collision at Newgale Campsite left nine individuals injured, with three of them hospitalized, after a Ford Fiesta veered off the road and struck a tent late on Saturday (12) night.
The incident occurred when the vehicle, carrying passengers including a baby, plowed through a tent housing campers. The crash unfolded just beyond the campsite entrance, where the speed limit transitions from 60mph to 30mph. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing, stated Dyfed-Powys Police.
Gathering initially near the BTS Mo Chit station on Phahon Yothin Road, about 50 vehicles, mostly bicycles and motorcycles, congregated at approximately 1.30pm. The protesters criticized both the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties for their potential collaboration with political entities associated with the 2014 coup d’etat. An hour later, they moved to the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, then subsequently to the Pheu Thai headquarters.
Fern Wilson, an eyewitness, recounted the harrowing experience of children’s screams echoing after the crash. Campsite owner Mike Harris reviewed CCTV footage, detailing the car’s rapid approach and departure from the road. Fortunately, the baby in the tent escaped serious injury due to being in a cot.
Joshua Tam, a firefighter present at the campsite, rushed to the scene to assist after the crash, joined by other individuals who were already present. Despite the chaotic scene, no fatalities occurred, thanks in part to the quick response of medics and firefighters staying at the campsite that night.
As the accident’s investigation unfolds, the incident underscores concerns about road safety, and calls for measures such as traffic calming initiatives near campsite areas. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions and attentive driving, especially near communal spaces.
The injured were attended to by the Welsh Ambulance Service, with one person airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff by a Coastguard rescue helicopter. The crash also prompted discussions about implementing road safety measures, including speed limits and traffic management strategies, to enhance safety around public spaces like the campsite.
-BBC-
