Bus driver faces charges after 14 killed
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The driver of the Yar Zar Min Express bus is facing several charges, including causing death by negligence, after the disastrous accident that killed 14 people and injured 27.
Police said he is still hospitalised. The driver finished a six-hour journey from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw and continued with the return trip without any rest. The bus company, however, insists he was sober and had more than 20 years of driving experience.
“There is no turning around the story, which indicates the driver and his recklessness are responsible for the disaster. We will condemn him effectively,” added Pol Colonel Nay Win.
The Minister of Home Affairs met with police and bus-line officials on May 13.
On Monday, the Yar Zar Min bus was travelling from Nay Pyi Taw to Yangon when it plunged over a 100-foot bridge after hitting a milestone around 6.45pm. The accident resulted in 14 deaths including three civil servants.
After a lengthy rescue operation, 27 survivors, including two monks, were hospitalised in Nay Pyi Taw. Three remain in critical condition.
According to police investigators, the driver was responsible for the accident as he appeared to be driving too fast in a downpour before hitting milestone 197/6 and plunging head-first off the bridge.
“There was downpour at the time of the accident. It would not have happened if the driver drove at 40 miles per hour. We assume he was driving at 80 miles per hour. We suspect that the bus was racing on the side of the lane for a long distance before the accident,” said Police Colonel Nay Win.
The Yar Zar Min bus company has promised to provide Ks 1.5 million (US$1,500) in compensation to those who have died, Ks 3 million (US$3,000) for life insurance and Ks 1 million (US$1,000) for overall insurance.
The Ministry of Finance has also pledged to grant Ks 6 million (US$6,000) in compensation to the families of the deceased, and has also promised to take good care of those still in hospital.
One of the survivors said, “I’m now being treated at the orthopaedic ward, and I do not want to recall the scene. I am just a manual labourer, so I am at ease if someone looks after [me] and takes care of the medical expenses.”
The deaths included Myo Naing, who was deputy director of Cane Ball practising department, Dr Win Zaw who was head of Thamine National Rehabilitation Hospital and Yi Yi Cho, a staff member at No 1 Electric Power.
