11-year-old boy crashes pickup truck into Buddhist procession in Thailand; ten dead
An 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck without permission slammed into a Buddhist religious procession in Thailand, killing at least ten people and injuring ten others.
CCTV captures tragic moment
Closed-circuit television footage recorded the moment an 11-year-old boy driving a pickup truck crashed into a group of monks and worshippers during a religious procession in Mukdahan, Thailand, on July 2. At least ten people were killed and ten others injured, according to local hospital officials. Two of the injured remain in critical condition.
Incident during pilgrimage
The accident occurred as 35 monks and five lay followers were walking along a roadside in Mukdahan province on a pilgrimage. The truck ploughed into the procession. Police said the driver was an 11-year-old boy who had taken his parents' vehicle without permission.
Boy unable to give statement
Prayut Ruanthongkam, chief of Mukdahan City Police, told AFP on Friday that the boy was unable to give a statement to police. He has been referred to child welfare authorities for assessment, accompanied by his mother. In Thailand, children under the age of 12 have no criminal liability.
