The accident occurred Sunday at about noon, opposite Premium Outlet Phuket, on the northbound side of the bypass road (story here). The bus was transporting 16 Chinese tourists, along with a tour guide, a guide assistant and the driver from Phuket to Krabi.
Five people became stuck under the bus when it flipped onto its side, confirmed Maj Pornthip Chumsri of the Phuket City Police today.
“It took about one hour to recover all of the trapped passengers from the bus. They were immediately rushed to hospital once they were freed,” said Maj Pornthip.
Huang Xiang, 60; Sun Li, 38; and Chen Lihua, 38, are recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital, while the fourth seriously injured tourist, Ma Ying, remains in Mission Hospital.
Thongkum Sae-Lee, 23, the tour guide assistant, sustained serious wounds during the accident, but has already been discharged by doctors. The remaining tourists and the driver suffered only minor injuries and have also been discharged from hospital.
Police questioned the driver, 25-year-old Danai Kumdee, and were told that he lost control of the bus during heavy rainfall.
“The driver picked up the tourists and took them to lunch at the Bypass Seafood restaurant. After lunch, the driver went to make a u-turn on the bypass road to head toward Krabi,” said Maj Pornthip.
“It was raining heavily, and Mr Danai lost control of the bus during the u-turn, causing it to flip onto its side.”
Danai was charged with reckless driving causing serious injury.
See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Seriously-injured-Chinese-tourists-remain-hospital-bus/61578#ad-image-0