At least 13 people died and 42 were injured Sunday when a National Election Committee car struck and killed a boy before veering into a roadside gasoline stand and catching fire.
NEC officials said late Tuesday the death toll may rise still higher, as many of those injured were severely burned and no specialized treatment was immediately available.
“It was a holocaust,” said Nouth Tyto, an NEC lawyer who is negotiating compensation with families of the victims.
Uong Kheng, who was in the car, said it was a horrible accident.
“This was the most terrible and bitter event of my life. I am terribly sorry for the accident, which took so many lives. I would like to extend condolences to the families of the victims,” he said.
The accident occurred about 4 pm as the NEC Landcruiser drove south on Route 6 through the market area of Phum Prasat in Santuk district of Kompong Thom province.
The vehicle was traveling about 60 kph on a well-paved road, officials said.
Uong Kheng, the chief of the NEC’s protest, conflict and legal service subcommission, said he, his wife and two co-workers were returning from investigating voter registration problems in Banteay Meanchey province when a 10-year-old boy darted into the road.
He said the 38-year-old driver tried to swerve, but struck and killed the boy and two others playing with him.
The car then veered into a roadside gasoline stand, killing the gasoline seller and her grandchild before scattering burning gasoline over onlookers.
The car traveled about 50 meters before coming to a stop. Police are continuing to investigate skid marks and other physical evidence, Nouth Tyto said.
The driver used a fire extinguisher to keep the car’s interior from catching fire. Uong Kheng said the NEC workers were able to get out of the wrecked vehicle. They had to flee from angry villagers, but are not trying to escape responsibility, he said.
“My driver is here with me. He is sad and crying all the time for the responsibility he took for the people who died or were injured,” Uong Kheng said.
While the NEC has set up a commission to provide compensation for the victim’s families, Nouth Tyto and Uong Kheng said the area is so poor that one family, who lost four members, dismantled the walls of their home to make coffins.
They pleaded with the public to make contributions, saying the provincial hospital does not even have drugs to treat the victims.
“Please, send money, or food, or medicine,” Nouth Tyto said.
