Death toll rises to 10 after child driver ploughs into group of monks

The death toll from yesterday’s horrific road accident in Mukdahan province, involving a group of monks on a walking pilgrimaging, has risen to 10 after another succumbed to his injuries on Thursday night.

Mukdahan Hospital officials announced at 11pm last night that Phra Sakorn Khlangsoongnern had passed away.

Another severely injured monk, Phra Somkiat Maneepornrattanachai, has been transferred to Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province for advanced medical care.

The tragedy occurred while a group of monks was embarking on a pilgrimage (thudong), walking from Roy Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom Temple in Mukdahan towards Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani. A bronze pickup truck crashed into the group, causing mass casualties.

Investigators discovered that the driver of the pickup truck was an 11-year-old boy who had allegedly stolen his parents’ vehicle.