Truck Runs Red Light, Hits Student Bus in Udon Thani

An 80-year-old man driving a six-wheel truck ran a red light at the entrance to the Udon Thani World Plant Expo, crashing into a bus carrying students visiting the fair and injuring 21 people. On November 4, 2026, rescue workers were notified of an accident in which a six-wheel truck collided with a public bus on the Udon Thani–Wang Sam Mo route at the turn into the Udon Thani World Plant Expo on Mittraphap Road (Udon Thani–Nong Khai), leaving multiple people injured. Upon receiving the report, the Udon Thani Dhamma Promotion Foundation rescue team immediately inspected the scene and assisted the injured. They found a six-wheel truck had slammed into the left rear of a green-and-white public bus on the Udon Thani–Wang Sam Mo route, bearing Udon Thani plates. The bus was carrying a group of students from Kalasin province on a hired bus to visit the World Plant Expo. More than 50 people were on board, including kindergarten and primary school children. Rescuers worked urgently to get the children out.

Preliminary examinations revealed 21 people with various injuries, who were rushed to five hospitals in Udon Thani province. The total injured numbered 21: eight boys, nine girls, three adult women, and one adult man. They were distributed as follows: five to Fort Prachaksinlapakhom Hospital, one to Aek Udon Hospital, eight to Wattana Hospital, five to Udon Thani Hospital, and two to Bangkok Hospital Udon. No one sustained life-threatening injuries.

The truck driver, identified as 80-year-old Nari, was pinned in the cab, which was covered by a tarp, with Nong Khai plates. Rescuers used hydraulic cutters to free him before sending him to hospital. A breathalyzer test detected no alcohol in his system. Police suspect he ran the red light. CCTV footage from the intersection at the expo entrance shows the bus had a green light and was turning into the expo grounds when the speeding six-wheel truck struck its left rear, injuring students and guardians.

Initially, Pol. Lt. Col. Niwat Jaengkrotok, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Na Kha Substation, Udon Thani Province, will question both drivers, examine witnesses, evidence, and traffic signals at the scene to determine the exact cause and proceed with legal action.

Ms. Nopparat, 47, a passenger traveling with her 7-year-old daughter, said they left home at 07:00 and reached the accident site around 10:30. The children were happily singing and dancing on the bus before the crash. The bus was preparing to turn into the expo when a loud bang erupted from the rear, startling everyone. She had initially hesitated to let her daughter travel alone and decided to accompany her for close supervision, never expecting an accident.

Mr. Wirat, 48, stated that before the crash he had stopped at a red light. When it turned green, he began turning right into the expo grounds. He then noticed a six-wheel truck accelerating toward him without stopping at the red light before it slammed hard into the left rear of the bus. He was escorting a group of students from Ban Thangam School in Kalasin province, including kindergarten and primary pupils, on a field trip.

Later, Udon Thani Governor Sarawut Phetphanomphon, accompanied by Pol. Col. Phatthana Wong Chanphon, Chief of Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, visited the injured.