Girl, 9, killed by falling street lamp in Banteay Meanchey

People transport a girl on a police vehicle yesterday after a street lamp fell on her in Banteay Meanchey's Poipet town. Photo supplied

People transport a girl on a police vehicle yesterday after she was killed by a falling street lamp in Banteay Meanchey's Poipet town. Photo supplied

A young girl was killed instantly and a woman badly injured when a street lamp fell on them yesterday morning in Banteay Meanchey province near the Thai border.

Sao Sarouen, Poipet town deputy police chief in charge of traffic, said yesterday that a truck carrying harvesting and ploughing machines caused the accident.

The truck snagged an electric wire hanging above the vehicle, Sarouen said, pulling a concrete electric post and a metal street lamp from their moorings. The lamp hit Heng Menghuor, 9, and her aunt May Sokunthy, 32, as the pair rode a motorbike to market.

“The street lamp fell onto the side of the aunt’s head, [but] she was wearing a helmet. The child died instantly at the site.” Saroeun said, adding that the child had been helmetless.

The truck driver, a Thai national, fled back across the border, while the girl’s body was taken to her family and her aunt was taken to hospital.

“Now our authorities are contacting Thai authorities to find and arrest the suspect and bring him to justice,” said Poipet police chief Thin Sindet.

Contact author: Khouth Sophak Chakrya

MOST VIEWED

Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games
From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the
Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity
At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to
Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat
Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to
Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste
Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one
Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24
The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.
Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1
A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the