A tragic traffic accident occurred late Friday night on a slippery section of National Highway No. 6 in Son La Province, northern Vietnam, resulting in six fatalities and eight injuries, according to local authorities. 

The collision took place at approximately 11:30 pm on Friday in Sap Vat Commune of Son La’s Yen Chau District, the provincial police department reported on Saturday morning.   

The incident involved a sleeper bus driven by N.D.H., 41, from My Duc, Hanoi. The vehicle was traveling from Son La to Hanoi when it collided with a trailer truck traveling in the opposite direction, driven by D.X.T., who has yet to be fully identified.

The crash killed six people on the spot, including five passengers from the sleeper bus and the trailer truck driver, while both vehicles were severely damaged.

Eight others sustained injuries, including the truck driver’s assistant and seven passengers on the sleeper bus.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the sleeper bus was navigating a curved section of the road when its driver lost control due to the slippery road surface caused by rain.

Local residents force open a trailer truck door to rescue the driver and his assistant after a crash with a sleeper bus in Son La Province, northern Vietnam, February 21, 2025. Photo: Supplied

The rear of the bus veered into the path of the oncoming trailer truck, causing the fatal impact.

Authorities confirmed that the bus driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs. The accident scene was described as chaotic, with wreckages scattered across the wet highway.

Emergency services, including local police and medical teams, arrived quickly to aid the victims and clear the wreckage.

Survivors were transported to Yen Chau General Hospital for emergency treatment. By 3:30 am, authorities had partially reopened the highway section.

In response to the severity of the accident, officials from the Ministry of Public Security dispatched a specialized team to the site to assist the provincial police in the investigation.

Le Hong Nhung, a local resident, recalled the horrifying moment: “After a deafening explosion, I turned to see a terrible sight. The sleeper bus was torn apart, with people lying everywhere, both injured and deceased.”

Nhung, who was standing near her house at the time, rushed to assist survivors.

She and other bystanders managed to rescue a 10-year-old boy, who had been traveling with his mother and younger sibling. Tragically, both of his family members perished in the crash.

“This is one of the most severe accidents we have ever witnessed in this area,” said Tran Van Hoang, chairman of Sap Vat Commune administration.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday morning, Dr. Le Thai Ha, director of the aforementioned hospital, confirmed that eight victims from the fatal accident had been admitted.

While none of the patients were in critical condition at the time of admission, some sustained severe injuries, including crushed hands, broken arms, rib fractures, and spleen trauma.

Among them, six with serious injuries were transferred to Son La Provincial General Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi for further treatment, while the remaining two were in stable condition, Dr. Ha stated.

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