7 deaths and over 30 injuries reported in Prachin Buri bus accident
A coach bus collided with a 12-wheel truck in the central province of Prachin Buri in the early hours of this morning resulting in seven deaths and more than 30 injuries.
Officers from Wang Khon Daeng Police Station responded to the scene on Highway 304 in the Nadee district at around 1.30am, today, April 21. According to reports, the coach bus struck the 12-wheel truck, causing it to crash into a 10-wheel lorry in front.
A fire subsequently broke out on the bus, prompting police to close the road to bring the situation under control. Officers were able to extinguish the flames shortly afterwards and discovered the bodies of seven passengers and the bus driver inside the vehicle. Over 30 others sustained injuries in the incident.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Nadee District Chief, Somjai Puttasaena, told DailyNews that the bus had departed from Nong Khai province in the northeast, heading for Rayong province in the east. He suspected a brake system failure may have led to the accident, though this has not yet been confirmed.
One of the survivors, 54 year old Naruephon Khamsawang, stated that he was asleep when the crash occurred. He later heard from other passengers that the brakes had failed. He awoke to find the driver struggling to control the bus and attempting to avoid collisions with other vehicles on the road.
According to Naruephon, the bus was travelling at high speed, and the driver was repeatedly switching lanes from right to left in an effort to prevent an accident.
A 54 year old motorist who witnessed the crash, Amsan Puangphu, told DailyNews he was driving slowly due to a downhill slope when the bus suddenly cut in front of him and lost balance, striking a traffic barrier.
Amsan said he decided to follow the bus, hoping to assist the driver and passengers if needed. He then witnessed the bus crash violently into the truck, causing two passengers to be ejected from their seats.
He rushed to check on other passengers, encouraging them to wake each other and evacuate before the fire broke out.
Another fatal crash occurred on the same highway at the end of February. In that case, a coach bus from Bueng Kan province overturned on the roadside.
The accident resulted in 19 deaths and more than 30 injuries, according to the latest update from Benae News. The earlier crash was attributed to driver recklessness and unfamiliarity with the route.
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