Plane slides off runway on Thai holiday island, one dead (1st Lead)

Asia-Pacific News

Aug 4, 2009, 9:23 GMT

Bangkok - The captain of a passenger plane was killed when the aircraft he was flying slid off the runway Tuesday while landing at the popular Thai tourist island of Samui, a government official said. Transport Minister Sophon Sarun said passengers were injured and taken to hospital, but he could not confirm how many or how seriously. The Bangkok Airways plane on a flight from Krabi to Samui Island lost control when landing in a rainstorm and slid into one of the fire stations, Sophon said. 'The captain was killed,' he said, adding air traffic was halted to the popular resort island. Thai media reports of up to 10 fatalities could not be confirmed. The plane involved was an ATR-72 twin turboprop which can carry up top 74 people. A airline spokeswoman confirmed the crash and said several passengers were injured when the plane slid off the runway at 2:30 pm (0730 GMT). Nanwipa Gayjanun said they could not provide any further details on the number of injured passengers. The airline scheduled a press conference for 1000 GMT. Samui Island in the Gulf of Thailand is a popular resort island for Thais and foreigners alike. Bangkok Airways also owns and operates the airport on the island.

Asia-Pacific

Plane slides off runway on Thai holiday island, one dead (1st Lead)

Asia-Pacific News

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