Bus crash kills seven fans on way to football match

[Admin]

Bus crash kills seven fans on way to football match
Published: 12/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News  

LOP BURI : A bus carrying fans of a Chiang Rai football team has crashed on its way to a match in Buri Ram, leaving seven dead and more than 40 others injured.

The tragedy, however, did not prevent the game taking place between Chiang Rai United FC and Buriram PEA FC, which unofficially opened the latter's new 24,000-capacity stadium worth 400 million baht.

The accident occurred on the Tha Luang-Dan Khun Thot road between kilometre markers 33 and 34 in Lop Buri's Lam Sonthi district around 8am.

The bus, which carried about 50 supporters of Chiang Rai United FC, was en route from Chiang Rai to the stadium in Muang district of Buri Ram, where the match with Buriram PEA was scheduled to kick off at 6pm.

Police quoted witnesses as saying the bus was travelling at high speed when a truck cut into its lane, forcing the driver to make a sudden turn to avoid a collision.

The bus careened off the road and into a ditch 10m below.

Seven passengers died instantly in the accident. They were identified as Supoj Pakdeesarn, 44, assistant district chief officer of Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang district; Abhisit Jaikla, 27, webmaster of the Chiang Rai FC website; Shinnakorn Sriyab; Jamras Klathai, 43; Athipong Harnwanich, 27; Sukanya Foojai, 32; and a man identified only as Ekthawatch.

Police are trying to track down the truck's driver.

Thunder Castle Buriram PEA coach Attapon Butsapakom expressed his deep regret at the tragedy, adding that it was a huge blow for a sporting team.

"I want to take this opportunity to send my good wishes and support to the players and fans of Chiang Rai FC," Mr Attapon said before kick-off.

Chiang Rai FC main striker Wasan Natasan said he felt very sorry for the loss of his team's fans.

"I encourage every football club to take lessons from this accident when they and their fans travel for competition," the player said.

Yesterday's match kicked off after spectators and players from both teams observed a minute's silence to mourn the deaths of the Chiang Rai FC fans. The Thunder Castle went on to win 5-0.

[Jamaw]

seven killed in bus crash on way to Buriram football match...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/241769/bus-crash-kills-seven-fans-on-way-to-football-match

Yet more pointless, needless and avoidable deaths. Despite the talk Thailand is dragging its feet on road safety and lags well behind many countries in the world. RTA's kill more people in Thailand than HIV/AID, Drugs. Murders and disease all put together! If a member of your family is killed and that death is totally avoidable then you have to question why no politician has mentioned road safety in any election speech!

[Jamaw]

It always amazes me the comments of the police in such matters shortly after the incident...''the bus was travelling at high speed''. What speed was the bus travelling at? If he cannot determine an exact speed he should not (legally) comment! Even if the bus was travelling below the speed limit it may not have been relevant to the conditions! There will be at least 3 contributing factors leading up to the incident!

 Such matters will come out in an accident investigation and these comments serve to mislead and predudice any investigation!