A man was killed and eight others seriously injured on National Road 4 in Kampong Speu province when a rock-laden truck ploughed into traffic ahead, causing a 20-vehicle pile-up.
Provincial police chief Sam Samuon said the incident occurred near Pich Nil valley in Village 6, in Phnom Sruoch district’s Treng Trayoeng commune, when the truck’s brakes failed while going downhill.
Unable to stop, the truck slammed into vehicles ahead with horrific consequences. “The accident killed one, injured eight others and damaged 20 vehicles.
“It happened as the rock-laden truck’s brakes failed when driving east to west on the downhill stretch at Pich Nil. The truck was subsequently hit from behind by more vehicles. All the injured are Cambodians."
“After the accident, [police] immediately rushed to the scene and sent some of the injured to the Kampong Speu hospital while those who were in a more serious condition were sent to Phnom Penh for treatment,” Samuon said.
Treng Trayoeng commune police chief Teng Vudy said the deceased had not been identified as yet.
“A man was crushed to death in his car while others were seriously injured. We have sent them to the provincial hospital and another in Phnom Penh."
“Now the traffic is extremely congested at the scene [at 5 pm on Thursday],” he said.
Vudy said the truck was travelling at high speed down the hill near the Yeay Mao shrine when its brakes failed and it hit large and small vehicles.
Some victims, he said, were trapped in their cars and some vehicles even fell into the valley below.
