Death toll in Prachin Buri bus crash rises to 19, victim’s valuables missing
The bus driver blamed a brake system failure for the accident on Prachin Buri Road, which resulted in 19 deaths. One of the victims’ families is searching for missing valuables worth over 460,000 baht.
The coach bus collided with a traffic barrier and overturned on Road Number 304 in Prachin Buri province at about 3.30am yesterday during a work trip for members of the Phon Charoen Sub-district Municipality Office. They were travelling from the Isaan province of Bueng Kan towards the eastern province of Rayong.
The bus reportedly carried 47 passengers and two drivers. Initially, officers reported that 17 people had lost their lives in the accident. Tragically, the death toll later rose to 19, while 30 others remain under medical treatment for their injuries.
The bus driver, whose name remains undisclosed, was also injured in the accident. Officials questioned him about the cause of the crash at the hospital, where he claimed that the brakes failed.
According to the driver, he attempted to change gear while driving down a steep road but failed. He then lost control of the vehicle and tried to slow down but was unable to do so due to the brake failure. He noticed a truck ahead and, in an attempt to avoid hitting it, deliberately crashed the bus into the barrier, causing it to overturn.
The owner of the bus, Boontan Chatree, gave an interview with Channel 7, stating that he was also on board at the time. He supported the driver’s account, saying the driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to shift gears to match the steep descent.
Missing valuables
Both the owner and the driver insisted that they had checked the vehicle before the journey. However, they admitted that they had not specifically inspected the brake system.
The Office of Insurance Commission confirmed that the bus was insured and that each family of the deceased would receive approximately 1 million baht in compensation.
Amarin TV reported that funerals for all the victims would be held at Pa Wiwek Thammakhun Temple in Bueng Kan province. Their families prepared new clothes and coffins for their deceased loved ones at the temple, awaiting the transfer of the bodies following autopsies.
One victim’s family told Channel 7 that their relative died in the accident while carrying gold necklaces and a diamond ring worth over 450,000 baht, both of which were now missing. The valuables were kept in a purple bag that she carried at all times.
The family stated that they did not suspect the rescuers but were concerned about a group of locals who came to assist at the scene. This group was reportedly seen wearing hats that obscured their identities and was observed removing victims’ belongings from the damaged bus.
Officers from Wang Khon Daeng Police Station, who are overseeing the case, told the family that the missing bag might still be hidden in parts of the bus that were inaccessible due to the damage and safety concerns.
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