Suspected bus driver who caused accident in Quang Binh only had B2 license

That was the information given by a representative of the Department of Transport of Quang Binh province at a press conference, providing information about the tragic accident that occurred on the West branch of Ho Chi Minh road, passing through Tan Trach commune (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh) on the morning of July 26.

Driver only has B2 license?

Mr. Pham Quang Hai, Director of the Department of Transport of Quang Binh province, said that the authorities have verified the identity of the driver of the passenger bus that had the accident and related information after the incident occurred.

Accident scene. Photo: Quang Luu.

Accordingly, driver Hoang Trung Toan (27 years old, residing in Ba Don ward, Ba Don town, Quang Binh; hometown Ba Ria - Vung Tau) was assigned by the vehicle owner to take a group of former students to visit Ozo Park in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

"Looking up the driver's license information system, driver Toan only has an A1 and B2 license. We have not yet verified whether he has an E license as reported by the vehicle owner or not," said Mr. Hai.

According to Mr. Hai, determining whether driver Toan had a valid driver's license when driving a 47-seat passenger car must await the conclusion of the investigation agency.

Regarding the speed of the vehicle before the accident, the leader of the Quang Binh Provincial Department of Transport provided some indicators at the time when the vehicle was 4.1 km from the accident scene. Before the vehicle entered the road without telecommunication signal and lost location, the recorded speed of the vehicle from 9:50-9:53 was 13 km/h to 32 km/h.

"We have contacted the police investigation agency to request to save the device's memory card to clarify the speed at the time of the accident," said the Director of the Quang Binh Department of Transport.

Mr. Khuat Viet Hung requested to clarify the cause of the accident and handle those involved. Photo:PT

At the press conference, Mr. Khuat Viet Hung, Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, requested verification of information related to the suspicion that the driver of the tourist car involved in the accident did not have a valid driver's license.

"Clearly verify whether the driver has a valid driver's license. In addition, we must clearly check the vehicle's speed to determine how to handle the driver as well as the transport company that violates the regulations," said Mr. Hung.

Consider prosecuting the case

According to the report of the Traffic Safety Committee of Quang Binh province, the results of the investigation at the scene of the accident that killed 15 people on the morning of July 26 showed that all passengers in the car were not wearing seat belts.

Recalling the accident, Mr. Luong Tien Son (49 years old, residing in Dong Hoi City) - the victim in the accident also confirmed that at the time of the accident, there were 40 people in the car, all of whom were not wearing seat belts.

“During the entire journey, nearly 40 people in the car did not wear seat belts and were not told by the driver to wear them. Along the way, everyone in the car was singing and livestreaming on social media until they lost signal when they got close to the accident area,” he said, adding that before the car went downhill and crashed, the driver shouted loudly "the car lost its brakes".

Mr. Luong Tien Son - the victim who escaped death in the accident recounted the incident. Photo: PT

At the press conference on the accident, Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Khuat Viet Hung also requested relevant units to investigate the accident clearly to have a final solution.

“Not only must we check and punish the vehicle driver, but we must also punish the transport company that failed to ensure safety and caused the accident. Consider initiating a case and prosecuting the accused when there is sufficient evidence to clarify the incident,” said Mr. Hung.

Mr. Hung also requested the Department of Transport of Quang Binh province to conduct a comprehensive inspection of Hoang Thanh Hoai Company Limited, the tourist transport business unit whose car was involved in the accident.

On the morning of July 26, a passenger car with license plate 73B-009.25 driven by Hoang Trung Toan (27 years old, residing in Ba Don town, Quang Binh) on the western branch of Ho Chi Minh road suddenly overturned when reaching the Tra Ang bridge area, passing through Bo Trach district.

The accident left 9 people dead on the spot, 6 others died on the way to the emergency room and at the hospital. 21 other victims in the car are being treated at the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Hospital in Dong Hoi.