PHUKET: A Phuket tour bus that crashed, injuring almost everyone on board, was checked for mechanical defects and approved by officials earlier this month, Phuketwan has learned.
Four Chinese tourists were admitted to Phuket hospitals and 13 others less seriously injured when the medium-sized bus crashed into a ditch alongside the bypass road in Phuket City on Sunday.
Passersby claimed some of the bus tyres seemed bald but an official at the Phuket Land Transport Department said the bus, bought second-hand by BRT Travel in 2013, passed its last check on July 8.
The driver told investigating police that he tried to pass a truck as he travelled down the hill towards the t-junction with Thepkasattri Road.
''However, the bus driver then discovered there was a car in front of the truck,'' the officer said.
That section of the bypass road is badly pitted. The driver told police it was raining heavily at the time and he lost control of the bus.
Tourism industry officials said the group of Chinese were insured before they left China and that the bus company should pay for any additional expenses required as part of their medical treatment.
Old buses no longer completely safe are being used to transport tourists around Phuket, critics say after a series of crashes.
The driver of the bus that crashed on Sunday faces further questioning.
Four Chinese tourists were admitted to Phuket hospitals and 13 others less seriously injured when the medium-sized bus crashed into a ditch alongside the bypass road in Phuket City on Sunday.
Passersby claimed some of the bus tyres seemed bald but an official at the Phuket Land Transport Department said the bus, bought second-hand by BRT Travel in 2013, passed its last check on July 8.
The driver told investigating police that he tried to pass a truck as he travelled down the hill towards the t-junction with Thepkasattri Road.
''However, the bus driver then discovered there was a car in front of the truck,'' the officer said.
That section of the bypass road is badly pitted. The driver told police it was raining heavily at the time and he lost control of the bus.
Tourism industry officials said the group of Chinese were insured before they left China and that the bus company should pay for any additional expenses required as part of their medical treatment.
Old buses no longer completely safe are being used to transport tourists around Phuket, critics say after a series of crashes.
The driver of the bus that crashed on Sunday faces further questioning.
Wonder if the police will ask the dtiver oif he knows that you only start to overtake a car when you are sure there is space in front of that car you go to overtake.
Posted by Kurt on July 29, 2015 12:52