Regional News
Video of Speeding Bus Killing Young Elephant on Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway Goes Viral
Heartbreaking picture shows elephant crushed to death with the entire front windscreen of the coach shattered from the impact.
.
.
LAMPANG – Footage of a young bull elephant being struck and killed a male elephant on the Lampang-Chiang Mai Road, in the Lampang province of northern Thailand has been widley distributed on social media.
Mobile phone footage captured the moment the dazed elephant was struck by the bus – which was travelling at around 60mph and skidded for some 30 metres with the elephant under the front wheels.
Heartbreaking pictures show the male elephant crushed to death with the entire front windscreen of the coach shattered from the impact.
The Elephant died instantly as it was crushed against the windscreen at 60mph.
The elephant, named Phlai Udom, was walking along the same road, protected by a barrier put up to keep elephants safe, but just as the bus passed the elephant, it turned left to go back into a forest.
The bus driven by, Narit Chittong, 45, was driving very fast and had been overtaking at the time when he hit the animal.
Passengers said that they had warned him to slow down but he continued to drive at a fast speed.
Police said Narit was charged with reckless driving, which amounts to a fine of between 400 THB and 1,000 THB (9 GBP to 22 GBP).
Narit will also have compensate the Thailand Elephant Conservation Center which could prove considerably more expensive.
The elephant had been raised as part of the work of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center which allows them to roam around the nearby forested area as part of their return to the wild.
Phlai Udom had often been spotted visiting locals in order to get food, and was occasionally seen on the road which has many signs telling drivers to watch out for elephants crossing.
Horrifying Moment Bus hits Elephant at full speed killing him
.
