Bus crash causes injury, commuter misery

THALANG: Four people were injured when a bus with bald tires overturned on Thepkrasattri Rd this morning, leaving commuters stuck in a traffic tailback stretching well over five kilometers long.

Seksan Konsakorn of Thalang District Police told the Gazette the six-wheel bus lost control in wet conditions on a curve near Tha Reua Shine, where it crashed into a roadside power pole and came to rest on its side, blocking all northbound traffic.

Police and rescue workers were on the scene soon after the accident, which occurred at about 6:30 am.

Seriously injured were bus driver Sommana Nilmanee, whose liver was ruptured by the impact with the power pole, and a female passenger with serious head injuries requiring a brain scan. Her name was not disclosed.

At last report, both were being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

All three passengers in the bus were employees of Trisara Phuket at Nai Thon, Maj Seksan said.

The two other passengers, both men, were sent to Thalang Hospital for treatment of less serious injuries and have already been released, he added.

The driver will be questioned after he is sufficiently healed. He will likely face charges of reckless driving resulting in the injury of others, he said.

The bus, operated by Phuket ARS Tour company, had several tires that were almost completely bald.

A crane finally removed the wreckage from the road at about 9:30 am, much to the relief of scores of stranded motorists.