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Bus accident kills over 30
  • By Viet Hao | dtinews.vn | May 18, 2012 11:03 AM

A passenger bus crashed through bridge railing in the central highlands province of Dak Lak, leaving more than 30 dead and 20 injured.

 

Pulling up a portion of the bus side  

The accident occurred at 22h15 on May 17. The bus of Quyet Thang Bus Transport Co-Op, was traveling from Buon Ma Thuot to HCMC then suddenly crashed through a bridge railing on Serepok River..

Both local people and municipal rescue teams were quick to help the survivors. Their work was made harder by the state of the bus, which had been crushed and was half submerged under water. Local authorities sent two cranes, which were unable retrieve the bus, which lay 20 metres below  the bridge.

With no other options, locals and rescue workers used hammers and crowbars to force the door open.

Slightly past midnight on May 18, a big larger crane arrived, which successfully pulled the bus up. More than half the passengers were dead. The injured, including four children, were taken to Daklak General Hospital, however two were pronounced dead on arrival.

Y Bliu Arul, Deputy Director of Daklak General Hospital said, "We immediately called in six doctors from others wards to help and sent three ambulances to the scene upon receiving the news. Three other emergency teams from outside of the hospital helped as well."

Early that morning 31 bodies from the wreck were sent to the morgue.

Nguyen Van Khanh, a survivor of the accident said, "The bus was crowded so I and and two others were sleeping on the floor. When the accident happened, everyone was sleeping. I just barely remember hearing something like a gun shot then screaming. That's when I realised the bus had crashed. Everybody was thrown around. I turned out lucky to be on the floor. It wasn't until they tried to break in the door that i realised there were other survivors."

The last bodies, those of the driver and two passengers, were retrieved at 2h20 on May 18.

The accident is currently under investigation.


Local people and rescue force try to break the doors

 

Belongings taken out to make the bus lighter

 

Administering first aid

 

People gathered around the accident scene

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