Prachin Buri, Thailand – A shuttle bus carrying factory workers collided with an overcrowded school transport truck on Monday morning, injuring 24 children on their first day of the new school year.
Children on the way to school on the first day of school
The accident occurred around 7 a.m. on Road 3079 in Tambon Tha Tum, near the entrance to the The Spring housing estate. A six-wheel truck was transporting students from Si Maha Phot School and Wat Mai Krong Thong Secondary School to class when a factory bus from behind crashed into the vehicle.
The bus was carrying employees from the electronics company Canon. The student group ranged from kindergarten to high school, a mixed group as is common on the morning commute here.
Student describes the impact
Suphakarn Jaireo, a student at Si Maha Phot School who was in the school vehicle, witnessed the crash firsthand. “The vehicle was just turning out of the housing estate entrance when the factory bus, which was on the main road, slammed into the rear with full force,” the young witness said.
The impact caused the truck to swerve, and several children were thrown from their seats. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and crying students calling for help after the collision.
24 injured and a large rescue operation
Rescuers from the Sawang Bamphen Dhammasathan Rescue Foundation, traffic police, and local officials were quickly on the scene. Authorities counted a total of 24 injured children, five with yellow and 19 with green injury codes. None of the injuries were life-threatening, but included bruises, abrasions, and significant shock.
All children required transport to nearby hospitals as quickly as possible. The extensive rescue operation continued throughout the morning.
Four hospitals take in the young patients
The injured were distributed across four hospitals. Si Maha Phot Hospital admitted ten patients, one with yellow urgency. Chularat 304 International Hospital received eight children – two yellow and six green. Four more students were taken to Kasemrad Prachinburi Hospital, all with minor injuries, and were discharged the same day. Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital attended to two children with yellow-coded injuries.
District chief rushes to the bedside
Si Maha Phot District Chief Juthamas Buaphuean personally visited the injured students in the wards. Relief spread as it was confirmed that no child was in life-threatening danger, with most suffering minor abrasions and shock.
By the afternoon, six young patients from Chularat Hospital were able to return home, while two remained under observation. The four cases at Kasemrad Prachinburi Hospital were also quickly back on their feet.
Police investigate and announce consequences
Police Superintendent Sophon Pramanee, head of the Si Maha Phot station, stated at the accident scene that his colleagues would secure evidence and interview witnesses. The goal is to determine the exact cause of the accident, as it is still unclear why the bus driver failed to see the school vehicle.
The officers are preparing to initiate legal action against the responsible party, pending the results of the forensic investigation.