A container truck driver suffered a fiery death after the vehicle he was driving and a motorbike collided on Sunday in Smach Deng village, in Ream commune, Prey Nop district, Preah Sihanouk province. The motorcyclist was also killed in the incident.
Prey Nop district deputy police chief in charge of traffic Suon Kimsong told The Post on Sunday that the motorbike rider was Eb Sethorn, 22, from Bot Koki village in Prey Nop district’s O’Oknha Heng commune. Police are yet to ascertain the truck driver’s identity.
Kimsong said according to witnesses, the motorbike rider was speeding from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville while the container truck was travelling in the opposite direction.
“The accident occurred as the motorbike rider unsuccessfully overtook a vehicle and crashed head-on with the truck at high speed, landing underneath it.
“The truck driver attempted to avoid crashing into the motorcycle by veering off the road, but he slammed into an acacia tree, causing his vehicle to burst into flames,” Kimsong said.
He said police who inspected the scene determined that the motorbike rider was at fault due to reckless riding and dangerous overtaking.
Kimsong said the scene of the accident was 25km from the Prey Nop district police station. Hence, Ream commune police station attended the scene first as it is closer.
He said his officers called for a fire engine as well, but due to the distance, the front of the container truck was almost completely burned before the fire engine reached the scene.
After the incident, he said police handed over the body of the motorbike rider to his family to carry out the last rites.
The truck driver’s remains are being kept at a pagoda in Smach Deng village while the search for his relatives continues. Both vehicles are being kept at the Prey Nop district police station pending the completion of due process.