School bus fire: How teacher Kanokwan gave her life for her students
Teacher's selfless act touches hearts around the world
SHAH ALAM - Tragic and heartbreaking are the words that describe the accident that claimed the lives of 23 to 25 victims in Thailand.
According to a report by KhaoSod, a bus carrying 44 members of a school group, including students aged three to nine years and teachers from Wat Khao Phra Ya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani province, was on its way from Ayutthaya Historical Park to the Phra Ram 6 Electricity Generation Office in Bang Kruay district, Nonthaburi.
However, upon reaching the outskirts of Nonthaburi in northern Bangkok, the bus tire burst, causing the vehicle to veer off course, lose control, and crash into a road barrier.
The accident resulted in the bus’ compressed gas fuel tank igniting.
A video recording of the fire, which showed flames engulfing the bus under an overpass with thick black smoke billowing into the sky, circulated on social media, leaving netizens devastated.
One of the three teachers who died, Teacher Kanokwan Sripong, became a symbol of sacrifice until her last breath.
It was reported that her mother tried to contact her but received no response.
Even more heartbreaking, the young teacher had just attended her graduation ceremony on Sept 26.
Rescue teams found her body and reported that she was holding one of her students.
"She was one of the teachers who lost her life in the bus fire in Thailand, which also claimed the lives of kindergarten students returning from a trip.
"Along with her, two more teachers and 22 children died in the accident.
"Until her last breath, she protected her student, using her body as a shield. Teacher Kanokwan’s body was found holding a child in her arms.
"If your children were fortunate enough to have a teacher who truly cared for them as if they were their own, you were lucky. Rest in peace, Teacher Kanokwan, teachers, and little children who lost their lives," a Facebook page posted.
According to Forensic Science Commissioner Trairong Phiwpan, a total of 25 victims were identified, and further investigations were ongoing.
A report by Thaiger stated that the driver, Saman Chanphut, 48, managed to save eight students before fleeing after attempting to extinguish the fire, receiving various reactions from the public.
After saving eight victims, he allegedly left the scene and sought refuge at a relative’s house, drawing criticism from netizens.
However, a surviving teacher claimed that Saman had tried to save all the victims before fleeing in panic.
A video showing him carrying a fire extinguisher has been used as evidence.
Authorities’ investigations revealed that the bus was equipped with 10 natural gas (NGV) tanks, and the installation was being checked for proper compliance.
It was also found that the emergency exit was not functioning.
Due to public pressure, Saman eventually turned himself in at the Wiset Chai Chan Police Station in Ang Thong province the following night.
