One dies, 21 injured in truck-tractor accident

GIA LAI — At least one person died and 21 others were injured in a crash in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on Friday morning.

The accident happened at 5.30am when a truck hit a tractor that carried a trailer carrying 21 people in Kông Chro District’s An Trung Commune.

According to witnesses, the truck was heading to Đak Pơ District from Ia Pa District and hit the tractor travelling in the same direction.

The crash killed a 13-year-old boy on the spot and injured 21 others. Five people were seriously injured and were taken to the local hospital for emergency treatment.

The accident was initially believed to be caused by truck driver Đặng Ngọc Thuận violating traffic regulations when he tried to pass. Thuận, 27, is from central Phú Yên Province.

Right after the accident happened, local authorities visited the victims and provided initial financial support worth VNĐ5 million (US$217) for families of victims who died and VNĐ500,000 to VNĐ2 million for families of injured people.

This is not the first time a traffic accident has involved tractors and other farm vehicles that transport people. This time of year, local people are harvesting crops so they often use such vehicles to transport farmers to the fields.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Võ Ngọc Thành urged authorities of districts and communes to take measures to prevent the use of tractors to transport farmers to ensure traffic safety. — VNS