Truck owner takes responsibility for train crash

Truck owner takes responsibility for train crash

Workers repair the southern track on Friday to reopen the route after a fatal train crash with a truck in Muang district in Phetchaburi. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Workers repair the southern track on Friday to reopen the route after a fatal train crash with a truck in Muang district in Phetchaburi. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

PHETCHABURI — The owner of a cattle lorry that hit a train promised on Saturday to help the family members of people killed and injured in the fatal accident, police said.

Usman Pathan of Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani reported to police at Muang Phetchaburi  police station after his truck ploughed into a passenger carriage of the local train from Thon Buri to Lang Suan station on Friday.

Sunthon Pramsung, an officer handling the case, said the owner would take responsibility for the families of people who died in the crash and settle damages in accordance with the law.

The accident at a railway crossing killed two train passengers and truck driver Lek Yodmoke, while 35 people were injured, according to the latest update from the State Railway of Thailand. One of the injured was believed to be a man in the truck. Four people are still being treated at Phrachomklao Hospital and the rest have been discharged, the SRT added.

Pol Col Sunthon said the 43-year-old man behind the wheel had been charged as a legal formality with reckless driving causing death and injuries and damage to SRT property, despite his death.

The cause of the accident has not been concluded because the lorry was severely damaged but the officer said alcohol had been ruled out.

The accident at 10.35am on Friday forced the SRT to shut down the southern service for eight hours before reopening the track.

It was the second train accident in three days after a tanker train derailed in Lamphun on Wednesday.

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