Driver missing after fatal bus crash
One passenger was killed and eight others injured when a bus overturned in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district early on Monday.
Police said the accident happened at 4.30am on a downward hill on the Phitsanulok-Lomsak road in Ban Huay Sai Nua village, Tambon Huay Hia.
Suchada Sakcharoenkul, 23, from Khao Khor district in Phetchabun, died at the district hospital and the driver's helper, Aroonsak Kunkaew, 31, was also among the injured.
Police said the bus, travelling from Bangkok to Khao Khor via Sukhothai, had apparently been speeding, veered off the road at a bend on the hill and overturned as the driver tried to bring it back under control. Instead, the bus hit a concrete barrier at the side of the road and overturned.
The engine at the back of the bus also caught fire, causing a panic as passengers tried desperately to escape the overturned vehicle, according to Aroonsak.
He said the bus had left Bangkok at 10pm on Sunday with more than 30 passengers. Most had got off at Phitsanulok bus station at 3am while a further nine were due to get off in Phetchabun.
Aroonsak said he dozed off and was woken by the accident, after which the driver, Nane Phanboon, 50, disappeared. Aroonsak said Nane would not answer his phone when he called him.
Warakorn Sukhuphak said the accident happened when the bus was travelling at a high speed.