NARATHIWAT: Five teachers returning from an Islamic study tour in Malaysia were killed and eight others, including the driver, were injured when their van hit a tree in Bacho district of Narathiwat early yesterday.
The crash occurred along Phetkasem Road in tambon Luborsawor, said Pol Capt Paiboon Kuedam, duty investigation chief at Bacho police station, who was alerted around 4am.
A rescue team, police officers, soldiers and local officials arriving at the scene found 13 dead and injured people in the wreckage of a passenger van. Most of the passengers were teachers at Darussalam School in Rangae district of this southern province.
Four women were pronounced dead at the scene. Nine others, including the driver and eight women, were injured. All were rushed to two nearby hospitals. One of those injured was later pronounced dead at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, bringing the number of fatalities to five.
The deceased were identified as: Madeeha Hayaruesa, 30, Maleemah Muyiddeen, 41, Kameela Nija, 27, Suhana Sama-ae, 30, and Anatee Manor, 30.
Nadia Yala, 31, was among the injured, as were: Ameena Niteemung, 31, driver Wisut Angsanam, 36, Ameeda Da-oh, 40, Sakeeya Maseng, 46, Rodeeya Wachae, 27, Supaporn Haeha, 40, and Sareephan Jaetae, 21.
Police found no evidence that the van's brakes had been applied. Investigators found the driver had been hired to pick the teachers up at Sadao checkpoint in Hat Yai district of Songkhla.
On the way back to Narathiwat province, the van slammed into the tree, resulting in the deaths and injuries.
Police believe the driver may have dozed off at the wheel.
