PHUKET– A peaceful evening in the popular tourist town of Khao Lak, located in Phang Nga Province, Thailand, ended in tragedy on March 17, 2025. A 54-year-old Irish national lost his life after being struck by a fast-moving SUV. The accident happened on the busy Phetkasem Road.
Local police and emergency crews rushed to the scene immediately. This heartbreaking event has left the local community and tourists in complete shock. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on busy streets.
The fatal crash occurred at roughly 9:00 PM. The victim, identified as Irish National Neil More Oferrall, was walking near the well-known Sangsawan Resort. Suddenly, a black Ford Everest SUV struck him at high speed. The impact was incredibly severe.
First responders arrived just minutes after receiving the frantic emergency call. They found a grim scene waiting for them in the dark. Officers discovered a black flip-flop and bloodstains scattered near the collision site.
The dark SUV, registered in Phang Nga province, sat parked in the right lane near the road’s center median. The suddenness of the crash gave the victim very little chance to react and move away. According to initial reports by The Phuket News , the vehicle was traveling much faster than usual for that specific stretch of road.
Emergency medical teams worked fast to save the man. They quickly secured Mr. Oferrall and rushed him to the nearby Khao Lak Medical Center. Doctors and nurses tried desperately to save his life. They performed emergency resuscitation efforts in the hospital’s trauma ward.
Sadly, his injuries were simply too severe. The high-speed impact caused massive physical trauma to his body. Medical staff officially pronounced him dead at 9:40 PM. This was just forty minutes after the crash took place.
Official medical reports stated the primary cause of death was a fractured neck. He also suffered other serious blunt-force injuries. Losing a life in such a sudden way is always devastating. The medical team did everything they could. However, the sheer force of the speeding car made survival nearly impossible.
Key Details of the Phang Nga Accident
Here is a quick summary of the confirmed facts surrounding this tragic event:
- Victim:Neil More Oferrall, a 54-year-old Irish citizen
- Date and Time:Monday, March 17, 2025, at approximately 9:00 PM.
- Location:Phetkasem Road, right in front of the Sangsawan Resort in Khao Lak.
- Vehicle Involved:A black Ford Everest SUV from Phang Nga.
- Driver:Wisanu Alitomeena, who remained at the scene to help police.
- Outcome:The victim passed away at 9:40 PM at the Khao Lak Medical Center.
Unlike many hit-and-run accidents on busy highways, the driver in this case did not flee the scene. Police quickly identified the driver as Wisanu Alitomeena. He is a resident of Trang Province. Wisanu stayed by his vehicle and waited patiently for the police to arrive.
Officers noted that he fully cooperated with the initial police questioning. At this time, police have not announced any official criminal charges against him. The investigation remains in its very early stages. Authorities formally registered the crash as a traffic accident.
They assigned it the case number Chor. 14/2568. They also registered an official autopsy under case number Chor. 6/2568. Investigators are now reviewing the physical evidence to understand exactly how the crash happened. They will look closely at road conditions, vehicle speed, and street lighting.
Local Khao Lak Police are taking this case very seriously. In fact, they recently transferred the investigation to the higher-level Phang Nga Provincial Police. Local officers described the crash as a “serious and shocking incident.”
This move shows that authorities want a thorough and highly transparent investigation. Thailand’s roads can sometimes be dangerous, especially for pedestrians walking at night. Phetkasem Road is a major highway that cuts right through busy tourist areas.
Fast-moving cars and walking tourists often have to share the same space. Police will likely use this tragic case to review local road safety measures. They want to ensure tourists feel safe walking near their hotels. We expect more important details to come out as provincial detectives take over the official file.
The sudden passing of Neil More Oferrall is a tragic reminder of road safety risks. As the Phang Nga Provincial Police continue their important work, the local community waits for answers. Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
