Toppled tree: 9 tourists injured in Kanchanaburi bus accident
A group of European tourists encountered an unexpected incident in Kanchanaburi province when a tree, believed to have been illegally cut, toppled onto their bus.
This incident unfolded yesterday morning, January 3, on Highway 3199 in Tha Manao Village, Mueang district. Police have since apprehended a suspect believed to be involved in illegal logging, seizing a chainsaw and pruning saw in connection with the incident.
The bus, which was transporting 30 European tourists, was en route to the popular Erawan waterfall in Sri Sawat district when the tree crashed onto it. The impact shattered the windscreen and left nine foreign passengers, comprising one man and eight women, with injuries. These injuries, affecting their legs, arms, and faces, resulted from broken branches and glass. Quick action by rescuers ensured they received first aid at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, all were discharged after receiving treatment.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Maneephat Phengkret, the investigation chief at Lat Ya Police Station, recounted the events after being alerted around 10am yesterday.
Investigations at the scene revealed the tree had not fallen naturally. Instead, officials discovered that it was deliberately cut using an electric chainsaw, as evidenced by sawdust found at the tree’s base. The head of the Salak Phra wildlife sanctuary, Paithoon Inthabut, immediately deployed his staff alongside police officers to track down those responsible for this act of illegal logging.
Their efforts soon led them to a suspicious pickup truck navigating a gravel road in a nearby forest area. The swift response by the team allowed them to intercept the vehicle. The driver, identified as 39 year old Wasin from Bang Krathum district in Phitsanulok, was arrested. Inside his pickup truck, officers discovered a chainsaw and a pruning saw, which were promptly confiscated, reported Bangkok Post.
Officials are now holding Wasin for questioning to determine his involvement in the illegal felling of the tree.
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