PATHUM THANI, Thailand — Fourteen students were injured after a school van carrying young football players crashed into a utility pole outside the Demonstration or Sathit School of Rangsit University in Pathum Thani on Monday morning. Police are investigating whether the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The red-plate passenger van mounted the sidewalk before slamming into a utility pole, snapping it in half. The impact left the front of the vehicle heavily damaged, while the rear became wedged against a metal fence.
Police from Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station said they received reports of the crash at around 7:30 a.m. Rescue workers transported 14 injured students to nearby hospitals. Authorities identified the 25-year-old driver as Chokwiwat. The van was carrying 17 students, all middle and high school football players from Wat Nawong School, who were travelling from their dormitory in the Khlong Song area to school. According to the preliminary investigation, the driver swerved to avoid a parked trailer truck along the roadside, causing the van to lose control, climb onto the sidewalk, and crash into the utility pole. A Grade 10 student who was seated in the front passenger seat said the driver had appeared unusually drowsy for some time before the collision.
“I was using my phone, but I noticed the driver looked sleepy and his eyes were drooping,” the student said. “When he suddenly saw the parked trailer truck, he appeared startled and swerved, causing the van to crash.” Police plan to question the driver further, particularly regarding allegations that he may have fallen asleep while driving. Investigators have already identified one apparent offence: the van was carrying 17 students despite having only 12 seats, exceeding its legal passenger capacity. Authorities are also examining whether the vehicle, which was operating with red temporary registration plates, was being used legally or displaying improper registration. If evidence confirms the driver fell asleep, additional charges are expected. (TNA)
