19 killed in Thailand's highway mishap

A man with a camera is seen through the wreckage of a bus in front of a police station, after it was transported away from the crash site, in Kanghoi, Saraburi province July 23, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Nineteen people were killed and 20 others injured in a pre-dawn highway accident in Thailand on Tuesday, police said.

A 18-wheel truck swerved off course on Mitrapap Road in Kaeng Khoy district of Saraburi province and crashed into a tour bus coming from the other direction at about 4:30 am.

The bus caught fire and killed 18 passengers at the scene while one other was pronounced dead at hospital.

And 20 others were also injured in the fire and rushed to nearby hospitals.

The dead included the tour-bus driver and a three-year-old infant, the police said.

The 18-wheel truck driver was slightly injured and detained for questioning.