BANGKOK: It was a narrow escape for 36 Malaysian tourists when their tour bus skidded off the road in the Bo Phloi district in Kanchanaburi, 110km west of the Thai capital, while the driver was trying to overtake a 10-wheeler.
The Malaysians from Johor, aged between four and 70, suffered injuries in the incident that occurred at 1.20pm local time on Tuesday. They had just visited the Safari Park in Kanchanaburi.
The bus driver and tour guide, both Thai, were also injured.
One of the group members, Hisyam Rahim, said the incident occurred when the driver tried to overtake a 10-wheel lorry but he lost control of the vehicle and the bus skidded off the road.
“Ambulances rushed to the scene and we were sent to Bo Phlai Hospital in Kanchanaburi.
“A 40-year-old Malaysian suffered tendon injuries and underwent surgery at Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital in Kanchanaburi.
“The other 35 Malaysians, who suffered minor injuries, returned to their hotel after receiving treatment,” he told Bernama.
Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel said the embassy’s consular personnel had travelled to Kanchanaburi to meet with the injured and assess their needs.
“The personnel met with some of the victims. The embassy will provide consular assistance to the Malaysians involved in the incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 44-year-old driver said he was attempting to overtake the lorry when the steering wheel malfunctioned.
“I lost control of the bus and we skidded off the road and hit a tree,” he added.
