Over 50 hurt in train accident in Thai South

BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) - More than 50 persons were injured on Sunday after a Bangkok-Yala special express train accidentally hit an oil truck in the southern province of Surat Thani, officials said. The accident took place at about 8.40 a.m. when the Sprinter train hit the six-wheeled truck carrying fuel oil at the rail crossing in front of a temple in Phunphin district. Witnesses said the truck travelling at high speed tried to pass through the rail crossing but was hit in the middle, causing the train to derail about 300 metres away where it hit the truck. Officials said more than 50 persons were injured, including the driver and the mechanic who were stuck inside the locomotive. All of them were later sent to two hospitals for treatment. Latest reports said 27 injured persons were still hospitalised at Phunphin Hospital and another eight at Surat Thani Hospital. The rest were discharged. The unidentified truck driver was safe and apprehended by police for interrogation, officials said. Southern bound train services are expected to return to normal this afternoon, according to the State Railway of Thailand. (TNA)