PHAYAO – On Wednesday, police from Mueang Phayao station received a report that a school bus had crashed into a roadside tree on the Nakhon Sawan to Chiang Rai road. The incident took place near Moo 9, Ban Pong Kluea, Mae Puem subdistrict, Mueang Phayao. Rescuers from Mae Puem responded and rushed to help.
When police and rescue teams arrived at the scene, they found a school bus with Phayao registration that had struck a tree with force. The front end was destroyed, and a nearby road sign had been knocked down. Two people were trapped inside.
The 35-year-old driver was conscious, with a deep cut on his forehead, and a 14-year-old female student had a nosebleed and general injuries. Rescue teams carefully extricated both victims, gave first aid, and took them to Phayao Hospital.
Early information suggests that the school bus was used to transport local students had dropped off most of the pupils, with only one student left on board. The crash happened in a roadwork section with only two lanes open.
The driver pressed the accelerator, and it allegedly stuck, which caused him to lose control. The school bus hit a directional sign, then a roadside tree. Police recorded the scene and collected evidence. The cause will be investigated before further legal steps.
Department of Highways Probes Slippery Asphalt After Vehicles Crash
On the Lampang to Phayao road, outbound side, opposite Mountain View Village and before Lampang Cancer Hospital in Phichai, Mueang Lampang, a series of crashes occurred on 11 Nov. Freshly laid asphalt was not closed off, and rain made the surface slippery.
Cars, vans, and pickups slid off the road or hit trees and guardrails. A total of 12 vehicles were involved that morning, with 9 drivers filing reports at Mueang Lampang station.
On Wednesday, Ratthana Thanakham from Channel 7 in Lampang, who was among those affected, revisited the site. The contractor had resumed asphalt works. This time, workers were directing traffic with cones and clear signage along the work zone.
The Department of Highways has ordered a full review of the incident during the maintenance works in Lampang and pledged full support for affected motorists. The contractor has accepted fault, offered an apology, and agreed to pay damages.
The Lampang Highway District 2 director is assisting victims closely. However, a roller operator reportedly posted insults about crash victims online, which drew heavy backlash and led to a swift apology.
The Department stated that Highway Office 1 will verify the facts transparently and tighten safety standards at all roadwork sites to protect road users and property.
