Out-of-control lorry ploughs through 16 cars when brakes fail

This is the shocking moment an out-of-control lorry ploughed through 16 cars along a highway in Thailand.

The 22-wheeler was reportedly travelling downhill when the driver lost control and smashed into other vehicles along Kanchanaphisek Road in Samut Prakan province on September 22

Dashcam footage shows the lorry bulldozing as it swerved across the tarmac. Rescue workers were informed of the traffic accident at around 5pm.

Traffic authorities closed off a section of the motorway as medics transported 17 injured people, including the lorry driver, to the hospital. He claimed his brakes had malfunctioned.

The pile-up reportedly caused several miles of traffic congestion. The road was partially reopened at around 6:30pm.

Prasert Ketboong, 51, one of the motorists caught in the crash, said: 'Traffic was slowing down in front when I heard the sound of brakes screeching behind me. Before I knew it, I saw cars sliding and being overturned as we were rammed by the truck. I have never seen anything like it. I'm not sure what happened to cause it.'

Another driver said the lorry grazed his vehicle and went on to crash into other vehicles ahead of them.

A police spokesman said: 'We will question the injured people including the truck driver. We will inform him of the charges as per legal procedure.'

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.