Driver Flees Scene After Attempting to Extinguish Flames in Bus Fire Tragedy

[webfact]

video screenshot

A shocking video has emerged showing the moments when Mr. Saman Janphut, the 48-year-old driver of a school bus that caught fire, attempted to open emergency exits and find a fire extinguisher to help.

 

This incident occurred during a field trip organized by Wat Khao Phra Ya Sangharam School in Uthai Thani, resulting in 23 fatalities and several injuries.

 

Following the incident, the driver fled the scene, prompting authorities to launch an investigation. The Department of Land Transport has since suspended the operating license of the rental company involved in the incident and is reviewing safety measures.

Mr. Saman eventually surrendered to the police at Wichai Chai Police Station, where he was taken into custody by investigators. He was then transported in a black Fortuner to Khu Khot Police Station in Pathum Thani, the site of the fire.

 

During the fire, surveillance footage captured the bus engulfed in flames. In the video, Mr. Saman can be seen exiting the driver’s side of the bus, which was already on fire.

 

He initially attempted to open the middle doors, but when that failed, he ran to the emergency exit at the rear of the bus. However, the door wouldn't budge, and the flames intensified, leading him to run around to the back of the bus, reported Matichon Online.

 

A TikTok user shared footage of the fire, showing Mr. Saman rushing to retrieve a fire extinguisher provided by a Good Samaritan. He made an effort to spray the flames engulfing the bus before fleeing the scene.

 

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[JoePai]

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

[baipaibkk]

5 minutes ago, JoePai said:

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

This is Thailand. Safety First. from self installed Soundsytem first, maybe later make a Service.

I never let my Boy go withe the Schoolbus in Thailand.

[brianthainess]

Now the truth is slowly emerging, so he did try to extinguish the fire, and help those inside, and Astoundingly the Bus is 54 <deleted> years old !!, that had recently had a Benz engine fitted, I wonder how old that engine was ? I doubt very much it was a new Engine. When was the Bus last serviced and checked, the LTO don't do tests to any real world normal standards, if you have any knowledge of how testing HGV or PSVs go and watch them testing, it is abysmal, they don't even jack up the wheels even to check the wheel bearings, (same with cars) It's a disgrace. Falang Mechanic "Can Not" ....

[brianthainess]

21 minutes ago, JoePai said:

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

A 54 yr old bus may answer that question.

[actonion]

28 minutes ago, JoePai said:

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

That were supposed to be inspected  a couple of months ago a report said

[lordgrinz]

8 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

 I wonder how old that engine was ? 

 

I believe the conversion was 15 years old.

[brianthainess]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I believe the conversion was 15 years old.

Why ?

[brianthainess]

5 minutes ago, actonion said:

That were supposed to be inspected  a couple of months ago a report said

Well they must have been working for the passengers to board the fated bus. Inspections here are cursory at best. TIT. Go watch the tests at the LTOs on HGVs

[lordgrinz]

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Well they must have been working for the passengers to board the fated bus. Inspections here are cursory at best. TIT. Go watch the tests at the LTOs on HGVs

 

Yeah, one look at vehicles driving down the road here, and you have to wonder what an inspection really is or used for, because it ain't working!

[sammieuk1]

My household has been stunned by the grief that must be felt by the parents of the kids who didn't come home a very somber mood at my boy's school this morning as all trips to the zoo today and tomorrow canceled.

 

We can only hope witnessing such a horrific slaughter of innocents may lead to a desperately needed safety overhaul of everything that moves here  🤔Rip     

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, sammieuk1 said:

My household has been stunned by the grief that must be felt by the parents of the kids who didn't come home a very somber mood at my boy's school this morning as all trips to the zoo today and tomorrow canceled.

 

We can only hope witnessing such a horrific slaughter of innocents may lead to a desperately needed safety overhaul of everything that moves here  🤔Rip     

 

I believe they already did a huge change not long ago, that buses with a certain amount of seats could not be older than like 10-15yrs? There was also something about double decker buses being phased out. I don't see how a 54 yr old bus would even be allowed on the streets.

[MarkBR]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

Very important question.

[brianthainess]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

 

Yeah, one look at vehicles driving down the road here, and you have to wonder what an inspection really is or used for, because it ain't working!

Agree, I used to prepare HGV's for testing in the UK, and take them to be tested. 

One month before I would have to remove all brake drums and inspect/test them, all rubber diaphragms would be replaced in the actuators, and new 'O' Rings in the foot valve, everything was checked from the back to the front and underneath, from the Timing of the indicators from memory 60-70 times a minute not faster or slower, to even the lift on cab door hinges, air break buzzers and gauges, how long it took to recharge the air. Oh yes also a load was hydraulically applied on the back at the testing station, for the rolling road test. 

[sammieuk1]

6 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I believe they already did a huge change not long ago, that buses with a certain amount of seats could not be older than like 10-15yrs? There was also something about double decker buses being phased out. I don't see how a 54 yr old bus would even be allowed on the streets.

I think we can all accurately imagine what state the mechanics and tyres would have been in for this apparently 600km+ round trip  🤔 

[Lacrimas]

This person needs to spend the rest of his life in prison, also the bus company and the school need to be held accountable. It will happen again if the use the same old mai pen rai approach.

Edited October 2 by Lacrimas

[anyone]

The impact probably slightly tilted the bus and jammed the doors. He could have broken the windows with a fire extinguisher.

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, baipaibkk said:

This is Thailand. Safety First. from self installed Soundsytem first, maybe later make a Service.

I never let my Boy go withe the Schoolbus in Thailand.

 

My son and his wife were looking for a new school to transition there daughter about to finish kinder to primary school

 

They really likes one school but quite a distance from home and they have 2 ther kids to get to school.

 

School marketing lady suggested using their school bus and instantly made a big deal about how safe their buses and drivers are abd suggested my daughter in law (DIL) take the bus the next morning to see the safety level.

 

She took the bus and discovered:

 

- The teacher assigned to travel with the bus sitting in the front can chatting and eating and pouring coffee with the driver, no monitoring whatever of what was happening in the main cabin  where the kids travel.

- Bus in motion travelling fast, a very young kid suddenly opened the sliding door to the main cabin and opened the door - full open. 

- Many kids now squatting right on the ledge of the open door. DIL quickly closed the door and told he kids to get back and she discovered the internal lock on the sliding door is broken.

- DIL then spoke direct to the teacher in the front seat and he driver.

- Teacher responded 'never mind because the kids do this several times every trip'.

- DIL sits at the sliding door for the rest of the long trip, doesn't allow any kid to touch the door / door handle.

- Bus arrives at the school, teacher gets out and walks direct to the teachers check-in room. Driver goes direct to the drivers coffee area.

- Kids all get out and mill around and eventually go to several class rooms.

 

- DIL goes to the marketing office to talk to the lady who had recommended she take the bus to observe the good safety. 

 

- Marketing lady says 'why do you try to make troube.

 

-Son and his wife now check a couple more schools and then discover a well recommended private school 10 minute from their house. They ask about safety, they get shown many posters mean and invited to talk to some kids 'what does this poster men' etc. the kids could / did answer correctly.

 

- DIL asks about school bus. Answer: 'We don't have school buses, it's the responsibility of parents to bring their kids to school and bring them to their class room.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He initially attempted to open the middle doors, but when that failed, he ran to the emergency exit at the rear of the bus. However, the door wouldn't budge,

Speaks volumes.

[Srikcir]

Potential prosecution of the driver and/the bus company is not enough. DLT should not get a pass allowing high count passenger buses on the road without rigorous frequent certifications. 

[Joe Farang]

13 hours ago, JoePai said:

The big question (amongst many) is why could the doors not be opened ?

I think emergency exits on busses open from the inside, not the outside.

It will be interesting to find out if the teachers on the inside were unable to open them.