The tragic accident involving a wedding party which killed 13 and left four others in critical condition on July 30 might have been caused by the sleepy coach driver.

The scene of the accident

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Hong, deputy head of the traffic police department in Quang Nam said the conclusion was made after gathering evidence from the scene of the accident and taking statements from the truck driver.

According to the truck driver, he was driving at 2.10 am when he saw the coach on the opposite direction from 30-50 metres away. The truck driver slowed down and ran toward the side of the road but the coach rammed into him.

Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Khuat Viet Hung said that the truck was driving at 51km/h. The speed of the coach hasn't been confirmed.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The also arrived at the scene and visited the victims. "This is a straight road with street lights and signs. Initial evidence also points to the coach driver falling asleep at the wheel. He was also not a long-distance driver. The groom's family hired a driver at their hometown for a long overnight trip," he said.   

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The speaks with the media about the accident on July 30

The said the authorities would tighten management over contracted car services.

Nguyen Van Thuong, a local in Quang Nam, said he heard a loud bang at around 2 am. The locals helped the authorities carry out the bodies and bring the wounded to the hospital. Dinh Van Thu, chairman of Quang Nam Province said he had sent out all ambulances to the scene and help bring the bodies of the victims to their hometowns.

The accident happened at 2.10 am when a coach which was carrying a wedding party with 17 people from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh Province collided with a container truck in Quang Nam. Ten people in the coach including the groom died on site, three died while being treated at the hospital, while four others were in critical condition. The truck driver has minor injuries.

Dtinews