Songkran 2014: Fewer dead, more injured
Fewer dead, more injured. That is the balance of the 'seven dangerous days' so far. Yesterday's figures are still missing, but the trend is clear. Two accidents with a bus and one with a taxi made Thursday a black day.
Three seniors were killed and 39 injured yesterday morning when a bus on its way from Thon Buri, Bangkok, to a temple in Kanchanaburi, in that province overturned for unexplained reasons. The bus ended up across the road, blocking both lanes.
Police suspect the driver may have fallen asleep, was unfamiliar with the road and was driving too fast. On the bus were mostly vendors from Wongwian Yai, Ban Khaek and Khlong San markets, who had chartered the bus.
In the second bus accident, four people were killed and about fifty were injured. In Hot district, Chiang Mai, a bus went off the road when the driver tried to avoid a motorcycle. The maneuver ended against a tree, causing the bus to overturn (photo above).
An initial investigation revealed that the driver lost control of the wheel. The motorcyclist came from the opposite direction. The accident happened on a winding mountain road.
At the Thiam Ruam Mit intersection in Huai Khwang (Bangkok) a taxi crashed into a police station (photo homepage). Two persons were killed and three were injured; the website lists one dead and four injured.
Newspaper and website also differ about the circumstances. According to the newspaper, the taxi drove into a group of motorcyclists; according to the website, to a motorcycle taxi driver waiting in front of the intersection. One of the injured was a police officer.
According to the website, the taxi driver would have tried to flee, but he could be apprehended. The man appeared sleepy, but there were no indications that he had taken drugs or alcohol.
The number of road deaths of the 'seven dangerous days' has risen to 277 after six days and the number of injured to 2.926. On Wednesday, 29 people were killed in traffic and 283 people were injured in 273 accidents.
The number of road deaths is nine less than last year, the number of injuries and accidents is more, 143 and 173 respectively. In Nakhon Ratchasima, traffic claimed the most lives: 13. Chiang Mai had the highest number of accidents: 107.
See further attached overview.
(Source: bangkok mail, April 18, 2014)