Tourist bus crash in Chumphon injures 17 after driver distraction
A tourist bus collided with a rubber-laden trailer, injuring several foreign passengers, after the 71 year old driver, allegedly reached for a dropped mobile phone. This incident occurred around 4am today on the Asia 41 road in Chumphon province, near the Pha Ngun Temple curve.
The crash involved a white and red double-decker bus carrying foreign tourists, slamming into the trailer’s rear. The scene was promptly attended by police and rescue teams, leading to the transportation of the injured to nearby hospitals.
The crash site was a chaotic scene, with the bus parked in the left lane, and its front left side severely damaged. Seventeen passengers were injured, with 11 taken to Sawi Hospital, four to Thung Tako Hospital, and two to Chumphon Hospital. Those with minor injuries or uninjured were brought to the Ruam Jai Un Ai Rak shelter at Sawi District Office for care, totalling 26 individuals.
According to the initial details provided by Visanu Surawadee, the commander of Sawi Police Station, the bus was a chartered vehicle transporting tourists from Khao San Road in Bangkok to Surat Thani. The passengers hailed from various countries, including New Zealand, the United States, Spain, Hungary, France, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
The driver claimed he bent down to pick up his mobile phone, leading to the collision with the rubber-laden trailer.
“The investigation is ongoing, with both drivers being questioned to ascertain the exact sequence of events,” stated a police officer at the scene. The police are committed to uncovering the full details to proceed with legal actions accordingly.
Further reports revealed that the bus was carrying a total of 43 tourists. The driver was identified as a 71 year old Thai man, while the bus attendant, a Myanmar national, was reported missing after the incident, reported KhaoSod.
Police are currently investigating to determine his whereabouts and involvement. Meanwhile, tourists who were not injured have been accommodated at the Ruam Jai Un Ai Rak shelter, where they are receiving support and amenities, including meals and water, facilitated by local officials and police.
