Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Eight killed in Battambang crash

Eight killed in Battambang crash

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A fatal traffic accident in Battambang province’s Thma Koul district on Thursday. Police

Eight killed in Battambang crash

Police are preparing charges against a taxi driver for causing a tragic road accident on December 24 that killed eight people in O’Taki commune in Battambang province’s Thma Koul district.

Provincial traffic police chief Chan Sothy said a westbound Hyundai lorry transporting ice on National Road 5 was struck by a Toyota Camry sedan when it crossed into the lorry’s lane, colliding head-on. The taxi overturned off the road.

“Seven of nine people in the taxi were killed instantly. The driver and a one-year-old boy survived. There were two people in the lorry – a driver and his assistant. The driver was also killed, bringing the total fatalities to eight, four of them women,” he said, adding that the victims’ families agreed to hold a joint funeral at the nearby O’Taki pagoda.

According to Sothy, the taxi driver sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical treatment.

“He is recovering, and police are preparing documents for the court to proceed with legal action against him,” he said.

Sothy could not specify when the prosecution would begin. He noted that this was the first case in the province this year that a single traffic accident had killed several people.

National deputy police chief Him Yan said on December 27 that traffic accidents nationwide during the first 11 months of this year had decreased from the same period last year.

“Compared to 2019, this year’s road accidents have declined by over 700 cases, with the number of deaths decreasing by 269 and injuries by 1,227,” he said.

According to Yan, the decline is due to the effective enforcement of traffic laws and cooperation from the public. Building on the progress, police will continue to work hard to enforce traffic laws and improve road safety in the coming year, he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.