At least four people were killed and 25 injured Friday when a truck packed with Funcinpec supporters collided with another truck on National Route 5 in Battambang province’s Mong Russei district, district police said Sunday.
The accident occurred at around 4 pm when a truck transporting sand had a blow-out and swerved head on into a smaller truck carrying Funcinpec supporters from a meeting in the district town, district police chief Kith Heang said.
A man and a woman died at the scene, while another man and a woman died at the district hospital, he said.
A fifth person has since died from their injuries, said Funcinpec Senator Chea Kim on Sunday.
He claimed that there actually were 41 people on the truck when it was hit. “Many parents had their children with them. They were all injured, some slightly and some seriously,” Chea Kim said.
Kith Heang said that the driver of the sand truck disappeared in the aftermath of the accident. He said police have impounded the truck and are waiting for the owner to come forward. They are also looking for the driver, he said.
Road conditions were good at the time, but the sand truck was overloaded and was traveling too fast, Kith Heang said. Both trucks were taken to Battambang province police station.
Hun Poeung, deputy secretary-general of Funcinpec, said that he did not suspect any foul play in the incident, and that the party would help the survivors.
“We are committed to helping the victims with treatment and are starting a fund for them,” he said.
