A tour bus has fallen down a ditch in Thailand after a brake malfunction, killing 18 and injuring 31.
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According to a report by People, a bus carrying 49 people suffered from a brake failure in the Prachinburi province in eastern Thailand. The malfunction caused the bus to flip and fall down a ditch. The impact was so severe officials reported that 17 people were pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency Services sent the remaining riders to Na Di Hospital and Kabin Buri Hospital. One more passenger died while receiving treatment.
Per Nation Thailand, the incident occurred early Wednesday morning at around 4 am. The outlet explains that the steep downhill trail is a known hot spot for accidents. Authorities have set up a rest area at the mountain summit, and buses must make a mandatory stop there to cool down their brakes. According to police chief Pol Maj Gen Kiartisak Srathong-oy, buses risk brake malfunctions while descending the slope if they do not stop. Drivers are also required to stop and register in a log book at a designated rest area.
The outlet explains that police questioned the bus driver while he was recovering in hospital. He had stopped for a rest earlier in the journey but not at the designated stop on Khao Throne Mountain. Police have since charged the driver with 'reckless driving causing death and injury.'
The Driver Lost Control Of The Bus Before It Overturned
According to a report by Reuters, the bus was full of adults on a study trip. Colonel Sophon Phramaneehe reportedly explained, "It was a downhill road, and the brakes failed. And the driver lost control of the vehicle before it overturned."
Nation Thailand explains that there were 129 adults on the trip, spread across three buses. They were reportedly studying waste disposal methods in Rayong. The third bus was the one involved in the accident, and Phairat Wutthisarn, the trip organizer, ordered the other two buses to return passengers home. He reportedly admitted feeling "deeply shaken" and won't be organizing trips again in the near future.
In a statement on
Facebook, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences and said the Ministry of Transport was investigating the incident.
