Bus overturns during Thai school field trip killing a 14-year-old, injuring 31 others

A bus carrying 40 students, teachers and chaperones overturned as it headed to a school field trip in the early hours this morning, killing a 14-year-old and sending 31 others to the hospital.

Police received word of the accident, which occurred on Highway 304 in Prachinburi province’s Nadi district, at about 4:30am.

Officers arrived at the scene to find some students and teachers from Khok Nam Kiang School climbing out of the severely damaged two-story bus, which was lying on its side, while many remained trapped inside, reported Thairath.

Rescuers rushed to evacuate the injured from the vehicle and transported 10 teachers and 14 students — including severely injured 14-year-old Jiraprapa Sriphonthong, who fractured her hip — to Na Di District Hospital.

Meanwhile five other teachers and two students with minor injuries were transported to Kabinburi Hospital. According to local media, they have all been sent home.

The other passengers in the bus reportedly did not require medical treatment.

Sadly, eighth grader Ornthai Cheausook, also 14, did not survive the accident. Rescuers have transported her body to Nadi hospital for a post-mortem forensic examination.

The school’s director, 57-year-old Krairat Boonklongpaeng, told police that he was leading 15 ninth graders, five eighth graders, 16 teachers and four chaperones on a field trip to Chanthaburi province’s Kung Krabaen Bay, reported Khaosod.

Almost unbelievably, the students had only transferred to the bus involved in the accident earlier this morning, according to Thai PBS, when an issue with the right rear tires on their initial bus forced them to change vehicles.

The second bus then continued on to Chanthaburi until overturning at the scene of the accident.

Bus driver Prachuap Chokbanthit, 53, said that a truck cut in front of him prior to the accident, causing him to swerve to the left to avoid collision, at which point he slammed into the guardrail and overturned.

Spring News, however, has suggested that police have yet to accept that explanation and plan to further interrogate him and other witnesses before drawing a final conclusion.