8 Killed, 4 Injured As Freight Train Hits Truck Crossing Railway Track In Thailand

The accident, which occurred at an unauthorised crossing in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok, killed eight people and left four others injured.

At least eight people including three women were killed and four others sustained injuries on Friday after a freight train hit a pick-up train trying to cross the tracks in Central Thailand, news agency AFP reported citing the kingdom's railway agency. One of the injured is in hospital in a critical condition. 

According to the state railway of Thailand, the accident occurred at an unauthorised crossing in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok, as reported by AFP. A warning horn was sounded by the train driver as he approached the crossing, according to the statement. The driver was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with the truck, which was transporting fish, the statement further stated.

"The train driver followed the protocol by sounding the alarm three times, but the close proximity made it difficult for the driver to stop the train in time," the statement added, as quoted by AFP. The bodies of the deceased were taken to a police hospital to allow relatives to make preparations for rites, as reported by AP.

Suraphat Prasop, who was in the truck carrying workers, told authorities that he saw the train coming as the vehicle was about to cross the railway, AP reported. He further stated that the driver did not stop despite hearing the train’s horn blast three times. The truck was carrying workers to Laem Chabang in Chonburi province.

According to the railway agency, the accident site was at an unauthorised crossing without any automatic barriers to prevent crossings when trains approach, as reported by AP. The agency noted that it has tried to reduce potential accidents by installing warning signs and flashing lights on both sides of the crossing, as reported by Aljazeera. 

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