Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Four dead as milled-rice truck veers off steep road in Battambang

Four dead as milled-rice truck veers off steep road in Battambang

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The truck had been transporting milled rice from Takeo province to the Cabin Market in Battambang province’s Phnom Proek district. Facebook

Four dead as milled-rice truck veers off steep road in Battambang

At least four people died when a rice transport truck overturned on March 30 in O’Romduol commune’s Thnal Bat village in Battambang province’s Phnom Proek district.

District governor Song Sopheak identified the victims as Suon Sochea, 17, from Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district; Udom, 25, from Prey Veng province; Mao, 33, from Kampong Speu province; and Seyha, 24, from Battambang province’s Samlot district.

“Provincial traffic specialists checked the truck and didn’t find any technical problems at all. The accident looks like it was caused because the truck was overloaded and it was coming down a steep road from the Phnom Proek Mountains. The driver could not get the truck to brake in time and it overturned,” he said.

Sopheak said that at around 2pm on March 30, the truck was seen transporting milled rice from Takeo province into the mountains. As the truck made its way down a steep road it was unable to brake and veered out of control from left to right and then overturned, killing everyone on board.

He said he and Phnom Proek district chief Heng Baraing had arrived at the scene and recovered the bodies from the truck to identify them and then find their families.

O’Romduol commune police chief Phan Sros said the truck had been transporting milled rice from Takeo province to the Cabin Market in Phnom Proek district.

Sros said that because the driver didn’t know the roads well he did not take Pongro Road as he should have. Instead, he took a detour on a road in Battambang province’s Sampov Loun district – which meant that in order to get to Phnom Proek district he then had to go through the mountains on very steeply inclined roads.

“Now, this road was just recently paved. Before it was paved, it was even worse – even Thai trucks would lose control on that road. Drivers who take that road would have to shift into second gear in advance before climbing down the steep part,” he said.

Sros said that following the accident on the evening of March 30, the families of the dead had come and collected their bodies. The owners of the truck and the milled rice had resolved the matter at the police station, but the truck still needed to be towed away as of March 31.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.