A motorcycle taxi rider who witnessed the fatal train-bus collision in the heart of Bangkok yesterday described the scene as deeply traumatic, saying several accidents had previously occurred at the railway crossing, though never on such a devastating scale.
Somkid Tosoi claims that the warning alarms, signalling the approach of the train, were heard before the crash, but severe traffic congestion left vehicles stranded on the tracks, preventing the bus from moving out of the way.
The accident occurred on a busy Saturday when freight train No. 2126, travelling from Laem Chabang Port to Bang Sue, slammed into an air-conditioned route 206 bus, operating between Mega Bang Na and Bang Khen, near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station.
The impact triggered a massive fire that engulfed the bus and spread to nearby vehicles, killing at least eight people, all of whom were passengers in the bus, and injuring 32 others.
Forensic identification of the eight victims will take time as they were burnt beyond recognition.
Somkid, who was carrying a pillion passenger through the area at the time, said traffic had built up heavily around the railway crossing between 2pm and 3pm, leaving many vehicles trapped on the tracks.
“The warning signal sounded normally, but the barrier could not come down fully because vehicles were still blocking the crossing,” he said, noting that the bus was stuck across the tracks and other vehicles were packed tightly around it, so nothing could move.
Seeing the freight train approaching at speed, Somkid said he shouted warnings and blew a whistle in an attempt to alert the bus driver, while railway staff also tried to signal the danger.
“The train tried to brake, but it was carrying heavy cargo and could not stop before crashing into the bus,” he said. The collision sent the bus skidding several metres down the tracks before flames and thick smoke erupted from the vehicle.
Somkid said the fire was initially small enough for him to climb aboard and help trapped passengers escape.
“Some passengers were crying for help, some were dazed and unresponsive, and several were covered in blood,” he said. “The screams from inside the bus were overwhelming.”
Other witnesses gave similar accounts of the moments leading up to the disaster.
A motorist, identified only as ‘Aun’, said he had been waiting at a red light nearby when he heard a deafening impact that pushed his car off course.
“When I turned back, the bus was already on fire,” he said.
After getting out of his vehicle, Aun discovered a person trapped underneath his car before rescue workers managed to pull the victim free. He also said he did not see the railway barrier lower before the crash.
A food delivery rider who witnessed the collision also said the crossing barrier had not fully descended because traffic was backed up across the railway line.
Another driver involved in the accident said the force of the collision caused the bus to skid into his vehicle before flames rapidly spread and destroyed it.
Somkid urged authorities to improve safety measures at the crossing urgently, noting that accidents involving motorcycles, pedestrians and traffic congestion have happened there many times before, particularly during rush hours.
He called on relevant agencies to address the risks at the site to prevent another tragedy.
