Mass accident investigation: A case of a train hit a bus carrying company employees at passage area, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 6 Chonburi and the multidisciplinary team in Chachoengsao Province investigated a mass accident between a train and a bus carrying company employees at a passage area in Chachoengsao Province, resulting in multiple fatalities. This investigation aimed to (1) describe the epidemiological characteristics of the injured and fatalities, (2) identify factors affecting injuries and fatalities, and (3) develop policy recommendations for preventing accidents in the future using the Haddon,s Matrix. The investigation results revealed that the accident occurred on October 11, 2020, resulting in 18 fatalities. Factors leading to the accident were described as human factors, vehicle factors and area-based factors. In terms of human factors, the bus driver was unfamiliar with the route and most passengers were not wearing seatbelts. A party with alcoholic beverages on the bus was reported and resulted in injuries and fatalities. Regarding vehicle factors, the bus was 12 years old, had been modified, and was overloaded with more passengers than the specified capacity. Due to the train being loaded with goods, it was not able to stop suddenly, resulting in a severe collision. In terms of area-based factors, the accident site was a passage area with no barriers, an uneven area, and trees covering the area, which obstructed visibility. Therefore, the Provincial Road Safety Center and relevant agencies should identify passage areas and railway intersections where accidents occur frequently and solve the problems. The bus operators should regularly check the condition of their buses. and the competent authority must ensure that the law on vehicle inspection is strictly enforced. Additionally, creating awareness of road safety among travelers and publicizing or warning of unusual road conditions should be implemented. The result of the cooperation of multidisciplinary team in this area has resulted in the railway barrier at the passage area, which was unofficially opened in February 2024.