A van falls off expressway, killing at least eight

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A van falls off expressway, killing at least eight
By The Nation
31/10/2010

The victims were four women and four men.
A packed van ferrying passengers on Sunday plunged from an expressway onto Rama VI road before bursting into flames, killing at least eight and seriously injuring five.

The speedy van swerved and hit an expressway wall near Rama VI exit before plunging onto the road near Samsen School at about 5pm.

The van then burst into flames, police said, killing at the scene eight passengers. The dead were four women and four men. Police said there were altogether 13 passengers on board. One of the injured was driver of the vehicle.

Police found at the scene that the van, fuelled by gas, was gutted. Its cylinder was found in a bush near the site. Items from the vehicle including seats were scattered on the road.

The eight passengers were burnt beyond recognition.

Police extinguished the blaze and rescue workers used equipment to cut the van to retrieve the injured passengers. The five passengers were rushed to Ramathibodi and Wachira Hospitals.

Police sealed off the area to facilitate the rescue works. Motorists were told to avoid the road.

Pittaya Romyen, a witness, said that he was waiting to pick up his nephew in front of Samsen School when he saw the van fall from the expressway and burst into flames.

He then alerted 191 police emergency center about the accident. While fire fighters were trying putting off the fire, there were several explosions from the vehicle.

Pittaya said that when the fire ceased, he rushed to check the vehicle. "I rescue a boy from the vehicle. I also saw the driver who was burnt on the back and arms crawling from the debris. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital."

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