Two Myanmar workers killed in truck crash

PHUKET: Two Myanmar construction workers were killed and seven others were seriously injured when the truck they were riding in crashed on Kamala Hill last night.

The truck, which was carrying 40 workers from World Co Ltd, was travelling from Tri Trang Beach to a workers’ camp near the top of Kamala Hill at about 10:30pm when the driver lost control, Lt Col Somnuek Damkham of Kamala Police told the Phuket Gazette.

“Bang Praiwan, the driver, told police that the truck started to roll backward while he was trying to reach the top of the hill,” said Col Somnuek.

“It slid about 100 meters and slammed into a power pole, causing it to tumble into a roadside ditch.”

The injured workers were taken to Patong Hospital.

“Seven of them suffered serious injuries such as broken legs and head injuries,” said Col Somnuek.

“The bodies of the two men killed in the accident were also taken to Patong Hospital. We have yet to identify them, as there was no identification documents on their bodies and none of the workers we questioned were able to name them.”

Mr Bang blamed the steep hill for the fatal accident.

“The truck could not take the incline of the hill. It started to slide backward and I couldn’t control it,” he said.

“I tried to brake, but even the brakes wouldn’t stop the truck because the hill is so steep.”

Mr Bang has been charged for reckless driving causing death and injury, confirmed Col Somnuek.

— Thawit Bilabdullar