PRACHIN BURI: The driver of an interprovincial bus was killed and 33 passengers hurt when the bus heading to the Northeast rear-ended a trailer truck in Kabin Buri district in the early hours of Saturday.
The crash happened on Kabin Buri-bound Road No.304 in front of the Kabin Buri poultry research station in tambon Lat Takhian at around 1.20am, said Pol Capt Prayong Mongwongsuwan, deputy investigation chief at Srabua police station in Kabin Buri.
The Rayong-Nong Khai bus, operated by 407 Pattana Co, was found in a roadside ditch when police and rescue arrived at the scene. The front of the bus was badly damaged with the driver badly hurt and trapped inside.
Rescue workers took more than 30 minutes to retrieve the bus driver, identified later as Sombat Keepchampee, from the wreckage. Mr Sombat and 33 injured passengers were rushed to hospitals, but the bus driver was later pronounced dead.
Next to the bus was a 18-wheel trailer truck involved in the crash. Many boxes of milk were found scattered on the road. Truck driver Kriangsak Paewklang, 42, was unhurt.
Thavorn Insorn, an assistant bus driver, told police that the bus was carrying 44 passengers from Rayong to Nong Khai. He and most passengers were sleeping at the time and were waken up by a loud crash. He then asked them to get out of the bus.
Wichian Suwansonthi, 60, another bus staff member, said he sat next to the driver. It was raining along the route and the bus tried to overtake the trailer truck, but failed. This caused the bus to ram into the back of the truck, he added.
Yosakorn Soda, 39, one of the injured passengers, confirmed Mr Wichian’s account.
Pol Lt Col Prapon Srithongpian, deputy chief of Kabin Buri police, said the injured were sent to three nearby hospitals. Police were investigating.
The bus operator sent another bus to take the unhurt passengers to Nong Khai.
Boxes of milk are scattered over the road in Kabin Buri, Prachin Buri. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon)