RAYONG - Eleven people were rushed to hospital after a double-decker bus taking students and teachers from Trat on a study tour overturned when hit by a six-wheel truck in Klaeng district on Friday morning.
The bus, carrying 46 students and teachers from Noensai Witthayakhom School in Trat, was on the way to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, when the truck hit the side of the bus at kilometre maker 99 of Route No 344, in tambon Muang Klaeng municipality, said Pol Lt Col Manop Prasat, a duty officer at Klaeng police station. The acident was reported about 6.30am on Friday.
The force of the crash caused the bus driver to lose control and the vehicle veered off the road and then overturned. The truck ran into a mound of dirt on the roadside.
Eleven people - two teachers, eight students and the truck driver - were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. About 30 other students sustained minor bruising.
Bus driver Charnchai Monthalop, 37, told police his was one of two tour buses hired to take students for a study trip in Chon Buri, and left Trat around 4am. As his bus entered a curve, a truck that was travelling behind ran into the side of the vehicle.
Mr Charnchai said it seemed to him that the truck driver, identified later as Banchong Srisongkham, had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Police detained Mr Sakda and Mr Banchong, who was among the injured, for further questioning and possible legal action.