Dramatic Photo Album Above
A TOURIST bus crashed and overturned at Phuket City's Tesco-Lotus intersection this evening. First reports from two Phuketwan journalists on the spot said that there were many injured.
Ambulances, with sirens ripping the air, carried passengers to Phuket International Hospital, to Bangkok Hospital Phuket and to Vachira Hospital Phuket, all within two kilometres of the well-known crossing.
At the scene, paramedics and nurses treated large numbers of people while a crowd looked on. Petrol spread from the flipped bus, seeping across the road.
Initial reports, yet to be confirmed, said the passengers were from China. Celebrations of Chinese New Year are due to begin on Phuket next week.
Late tonight, all hospitals reported that none of the passengers were seriously injured. Two children, two women and a man were being treated in Phuket International Hospital. Eight adults were at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. None had been detained for treatment at Vachira.
It is believed the two-level 24-seat tour bus hit two vehicles while misjudging a corner at the intersection about 8pm, the bus coming downhill along the bypass road from the t-intersection with Thepkasattri Road.
Tesco-Lotus on a Sunday evening is packed with shoppers, many of whom, having heard the noise of the crash, looked on as tonight's drama unfolded.
A police officer at the scene said many buses had come to the island for Chinese New Year. The bus, carrying Vista Holidays signage, failed to take a left-hand turn towards Sam Kong and hit two vehicles, one a pick-up and another a saloon car, waiting for a green light to turn right into the bypass road.
The driver of the pick-up, Wichai Leelastwattanakul, said he had just been shopping with his father at Tesco-Lotus.
''We saw the bus fail to take the corner,'' Khun Wichai said. ''Then it hit us.''
The driver of the car, Thinnarat Prappracha, had finished work at Bangkok Hospital Phuket's Heart Centre and was heading home.
Latest A tourist who appears to have had too much to drink tumbled from a balcony at a Patong resort and survived the fall from the third floor because he plunged into a tree.
Tourist Topples From Patong Balcony, Survives Fall
Patong Tuk-Tuk Protesters 'a Small Rogue Group'
Latest Tuk tuk drivers who staged a public protest over Patong's one way system are not part of the mainstream, the leader of Patong's tuk tuk and taxi federation says.
Patong Tuk-Tuk Protesters 'a Small Rogue Group'
Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares Flagged
Latest Suggested maximum fares have been decided by a committee that has been looking at tuk tuk and taxi rates. The fares can be negotiated downwards.
Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares Flagged
Phuket Pride Set to Shake a Tail Feather
Festival Event Phuket's annual Pride Celebration is coming up just as PC Air makes being a transsexual less of a drag by hiring three ''third sex'' air hostesses.
Phuket Pride Set to Shake a Tail Feather
This is hardly news, more often a daily occurrence at this notorious intersection with traffic lights and all. Save the editorial space and just put up a pinned topic with daily tally.
Good part is that 3 major hospitals are nearby. I hope all victims are being well looked after. Not the best way to start the new year and probably innocent of any wrong doing themselves.
Posted by innocent bystander on January 30, 2011 20:58