Epileptic fit causes fatal school crash

Epileptic fit causes fatal school crash

A former school director suffered an epileptic fit behind the wheel and ploughed his car into a group of students, killing four and injuring 10 yesterday.

The accident occurred about 9.25am in Nong Bua Lamphu province, according to Pol Lt Col Kittipol Somsith, an investigator at Muang district police station.

Bualam Ngobudda, 57, a former director of Ban Wang Nam Khao School, was driving when a sudden seizure caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

The car ran into a group of young pupils who were walking into Nong Bua Pithayakarn School to see a science exhibition.

The vehicle swerved and hit three parked cars before crashing into a tree.

One boy and three girls were killed on the spot. Six boys and four girls were injured.

The injured children, all of them Grade 4 students at nearby Nong Bua Witthayayon School, were taken to the district hospital.

After the accident, Mr Bualam got out of his car and waited for police to arrive.

Pol Lt Col Kittipol said the former school director accepted responsibility for what happened and was later freed on bail.

The officer said Mr Bualam is on record as suffering from epilepsy and has been involved in several road accidents before. When he worked in government service a driver would take him to and from school.

Dr Thammanoon Wisitthammarat, director of Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital, said the injured children were aged 9 to 12 years. Five were kept at the hospital for further treatment and observation. The others had only minor injuries and were discharged after treatment.

Kamol Rodklai, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), said the Obec sent assistant to the secretary-general, Kasem Sodnagm, to inspect the scene and provide financial assistance for families of the victims and injured students.

The Obec will pay 5,000 baht to the families of the deceased, and 3,000 baht for the families of injured students.

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