19 hurt as bus overturns in rain

TAH CHAT CHAI: Police are hunting for the driver of a bus which overturned yesterday injuring 19 passengers.

It is thought the driver, named so far only as “Kittisak”, lost control of the Bangkok-bound bus in bend in the road near Baan Koh En, during heavy rain.

The Phuket Central Tour bus came to a stop upside down in a ditch. All 19 passengers on board were injured, though none seriously.

Pol Capt Seksun Komsakorn, of Tah Chat Chai Police Station, told the Gazette the accident happened at 5.45 pm, 45 minutes after the 36-seater vehicle left Phuket.

Capt Seksun said the passengers had sustained mainly minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises. They were taken to Thalang Hospital, as it was the nearest to the accident scene, although many were later transferred to Wachira Phuket Hospital, Bangkok Phuket Hospital or Phuket International Hospital, as Phuket Central Tour has insurance.

Capt Seksun said, “The passengers told us there was no collision, just that the driver lost control in the rain.

“The driver was to blame, because he drove carelessly. We didn’t realise he had fled the scene because it was difficult to keep track of who was around, as other drivers were stopping to pick up the injured to take them to hospital, but he really should come forward as soon as possible.”

Staff at Phuket Central Tour declined to give the Gazette more information about the driver, or about liability or compensation for passengers.