2-year-old among eight dead in Hua Hin's train derailment

BANGKOK, Oct 5 (TNA) - At least eight persons including a two-year old
girl were killed when the Bangkok-Trang passenger train derailed at the seaside resort town of Hua Hin Monday morning, while rescue operation is still underway to search for some passengers trapped inside the wrecked carriages.

The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand said eight Thai passengers,one man and seven women, were found dead and about 70 passengers were injured and sent to nearby hospitals. Of those injured, 22 were hospitalised.

Preliminary police investigation suggested that switching error might have caused the train to derail as it was approaching the station. Eight of the carriages derailed about 100 metres from Khao Tao Station in Hua Hin in heavy rain.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodhi rushed to the accident scene and ordered emergency medical teams to help the victims.

All southern route trains were temporarily suspended because of the
incident, leaving many passengers stranded.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) president Yuthana Thapcharoen said it
would take at least one day to clear the scene to allow the train services to resume.

The SRT president said a special committee has been set up to probe the cause of train derailment. Result is expected within five days. (TNA)