18 killed as tour bus plunges into gorge in Thailand

At least 18 people, all retired employees, were killed and 20 others injured today when a bus they were travelling in fell into a 70-metre deep gorge in northern Thailand, the latest accident in a country known for its dangerous roads.
The Bangkok-bound tour bus, carrying 36 retirees of a telecom company returning from holiday along with the bus driver and a bus assistant, was travelling from Phrae when it ran off the winding downhill road and fell into the deep ravine at tambon Ban.
The bus, operated by state-run Transport Company, was hired to take the 36 retirees on a holiday in the northern province of Uttradit.

Rescuers used ropes to lift the injured and dead from the wreckage, Bangkok post reported.
The driver, who was apparently not familiar with the road, is believed to have jumped from the bus before it plunged off the road into the ravine, police said.
According to the World Health Organization's 2015 report, Thailand has the world's second most dangerous roads in terms of per capita deaths, second only to Libya.