14 killed and more than 30 injured in bus crash after ‘driver fell asleep’
At least 14 people have died in a bus crash after the driver is suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel.
More than 30 others were injured in the smash in Thailand early on Tuesday morning.
The bus was heading south from the capital city of Bangkok when it veered off the road and ploughed into a tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
There were 49 people on board the bus, which was due for the Songkhla province.
It struck a tree near Hat Wanakorn National Park, a local police officer said.
‘We presume the driver might have fallen asleep,’ said Police Colonel Weerapat Ketesa, the superintendent of the Huay Yang Police Station.
Pictures from the scene show the bus slammed against the tree and leaning to one side after running off the road and onto a slope.
The windows have been completely smashed in with huge chunks of the tree protruding through the front of the vehicle.
Passers-by and emergency services can be seen trying to help those trapped inside.
Officials are still waiting for the result of a blood test on the driver, who survived the accident.
Mr Ketesa said police were also still investigating what caused the crash.
Most of the victims were Thai and a few were Burmese.
Some 35 people were being treated for injuries at local hospitals, according to the Sawang Rungrueang Rescue Foundation.
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