Seven perish in Tonle Bassac ferry mishap, driver arrested

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Khouth Sophak Chakrya

Seven people including five children died when their car fell into the Tonle Bassac river on the way back from their grandparents’ grave ceremony in Kandal’s Sa’ang district on Sunday night, police said.

According to district deputy police chief Vong Klang, the driver of the car was attempting to board a ferry when the vehicle’s rear wheels became stuck between the ferry and pier. When the ferry operator told the driver to accelerate, the car slammed into a piece of wood and veered into the river.

The driver, Sok Sarak, and his wife, Khorn Brang, both survived the accident, but the vehicle’s owner, Voeung Voeun, 35, his wife Khorn Len, 35, daughter Voeun Kemlang, 13, and nieces and nephews Soeun Sovanarith, 7; Soeun Sovanareach, 4; Rak Chhainara, 12; and Chan Thorn Rachana, 12, all perished.

read more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/seven-perish-tonle-bassac-ferry-mishap

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Car’s driver held after Kandal ferry mishap

Wed, 6 April 2016

Khouth Sophak Chakrya

The driver of a car that sunk into the Tonle Bassac river and drowned seven people – including five children – was sent to Kandal Provincial Court yesterday morning, but a ferry operator who was also arrested over the deaths was bailed out by his boss.

Sa’ang district police chief Seng Socheat said yesterday that the accused, Sak Sarak, 33, of Prek Hou commune in Takhmao, was arrested at 8pm on Sunday after he drunkenly accelerated his car onto a ferry, smashing a timber barrier and plunging into the water.

Ferry operator Sim Ratanak, 24, was arrested on Monday morning on the order of Lem Sokunthear, Kandal Provincial Court prosecutor.

read more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cars-driver-held-after-kandal-ferry-mishap