Thai Air Force Sends Planes for Malaysian Bus Crash Victims

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
December 22, 2010 at 7:25 am

Thailand has sent two air force cargo planes to Malaysia to bring home the bodies of 25 tourists who died in what is being called Malaysia's worst bus accident.

The tourists were returning from a visit to Malaysia's popular Cameron Highlands resort area on Monday when their driver crashed into a highway divider, flipping the double-decker bus. The crash also killed the Malaysian driver and tour guide.

Thai officials said doctors and relatives of some of the victims were on board the two Royal Thai Air Force C-130 aircraft for the trip to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Officials said the planes would also bring home survivors who are not too seriously injured to fly.

The accident was unusually serious even for Malaysia, which has a long history of road accidents involving buses. The Bernama news agency said the crash is believed to be the worst road accident in Malaysian history.