ALL 36 Thai and foreign passengers travelling on a tour bus from Ranong province to Bangkok got injured after the vehicle slammed into a power pole in Phetchaburi before dawn today (March 14), Amarin TV said.
At 3.54 a.m. Pol. Col. Thip Khengkhum, superintendent of Khao Yoi police station, led a team to inspect the spot near Pho Kaew rice mill underpass of Phetkasem road, inbound to Bangkok, where the accident involving many foreigners took place.
He also coordinated with the rescue units at Khao Yoi Hospital and Sawang Sanpetchayatham Sathan Foundation to bring volunteers and equipment to provide assistance.
At the scene the white and blue bus was found to have crashed into a high-voltage electric pole, snapping it into two, resulting in 15 Thais, 12 Myanmar citizens and nine Americans, a total of 36 passengers, all getting injured.
The volunteers quickly took them to Khao Yoi and Phra Chom Klao hospitals for medical treatment with three being in serious condition.
Investigation revealed that the driver, Mr. Rakchat Phu Kaew, 58, was drowsy after the long drive from Ranong and fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into the power pole.
Pol. Col. Thip Khengkhum took some of the less injured passengers to the police station and spent his own money in buying noodles for them to eat before coordinating with another tour bus to pick them up and take them to their destination.
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The tour bus that was damaged after slamming into a power pole in Phetchaburi province. Photos: Amarin TV
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