Three Royal Thai Army officers have died and another was seriously injured following the crash of their patrol aircraft in Mae Hong Son yesterday, July 5.
The Army Cessna 182 was on a routine patrol near the Myanmar border when it disappeared from radar at 11 a.m. A helicopter was subsequently deployed to the area, finding the remains of the aircraft in remote forest near Ban Huai Sai Khao in Tambon Huai Pha of Muang district several hours later.
Rescuer works managed to get to the site of the crash at 5 p.m., the delay due to the difficulty of the terrain, where they were able to immediately provide first aid to the sole survivor.
The cause of the crash is unknown with flying conditions at the time described as being acceptable.
The deceased were named as Lieutenant Nareupol Pookthong, Lieutenant Wiroj Taengkratok and Lieutenant Khemarat Doungkaew. The survivor, named as Sgt-Major 1st Class Chatchanan Kheunkaew was taken to Srisangwan Hospital Mae Hong Son where he is now reported to be in a stable condition despite burns to 60 percent of his body.
