The driver Tran Van Truong, who was taken into custody for violating traffic laws causing serious consequences after causing the death of 20 passengers last year, was given 7 years in prison at today’s trial.
Truong was thoughtful and said after hearing the verdict from the court Photo: Tuoi Tre
He is also banned from driving bus for five years after finishing the prison sentence by the court.
“It’s a dreadful mistake. Although my son has 7 years of experience and safe driving skills, he couldn’t avoid the accident," said Tran Dai Nghia, Truong’s father, at the trial.
Last October, police in the central province of Ha Tinh arrested Truong, the driver of a bus which was swept away by strong currents from a flooded river last Monday, leaving 20 passengers dead and missing.
The bus was found under the bed of the Lam River, a kilometer from where it was last seen.
The public transport bus was traveling from the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong to the northern Nam Dinh Province when it was swept away.
Rescuers have by far recovered 19 out of 20 the bodies.
Police said Truong ignored warnings and drove the bus carrying 38 people into the flooded area.
Local authorities said Truong and 17 other people managed to get out by breaking the front windows and swam ashore, some by clinging to power poles.