A Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) truck driving up a steep hill slid backwards and overturned yesterday morning, killing an 8-year-old boy – the son of a CMAC officer – and severely injuring two others, local authorities said.

According to Pailin deputy police chief Ear Hoeun, a CMAC officer was driving his two sons to a temporary accommodation in Boyakha commune, where the officer was to perform demining work with other CMAC officers riding in the vehicle.

“The driver might have driven wrongly or not have known how to drive uphill,” Hoeun said.

Chhor Meach, Boyakha commune police chief, confirmed Hoeun’s account. “The driver got injured in the head while his son died. His other son broke his right leg in the accident,” Meach said.

The other passengers were only slightly injured.

CMAC director-general Heng Ratana said yesterday that he hadn’t heard about the accident.