Eleven-year-old boy driving truck crashes into group of Thai monks, killing nine
Updated . First published at
An 11-year-old boy has crashed a ute into a group of monks on a pilgrimage walk in north-eastern Thailand, killing nine, officials say.
A total of 35 monks from Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometres north-east of the capital Bangkok, were on the pilgrimage on Thursday.
This photograph released by the Phu Manorom temple shows monks who were slightly injured from a crash. Phu Manorom temple via AP
Five monks were killed at the site, while four others died at a hospital.
Thirteen were hospitalised with three in critical condition, according to the provincial administration.
Security camera footage shared by a local rescue group, Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association, shows the monks walking in a single line on the side of a road before the truck crashes into them.
Local police said the boy is now in custody and will be questioned when state child protection officers arrive.
The police said the cause of the accident is still under investigation, but said they were told by the monks that they saw the vehicle swerving before it slid off the road and crashed into the group.
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