Thailand crash kills 2 Canadians

Two Canadianshave been killed in Thailand after the makeshift bus they were travelling in went off the road and hit a pole on the tourist island of Phuket.

Local media reports said police identified the husband and wife who were killedas Kongseng Sunthorn, 61, and Aryporn Sunthorn, 50.

The reports said four others were injured, including an Australian. The Phuket Gazette identified one of the injured as Mrs. Sunthorn's father, Huy Sonsak, 82, who had immigrated to Canada from Laos.

The family lived in Hamilton, according to the Toronto Star.

The accident happened just minutes into New Year's Day when the vehicle a pickup truck configured with seating in the covered rear was travelling from Phuket International Airport to a new west coast resort.

Police told the media the vehicle ran off the road while trying to overtake another vehicle on a winding,hilly stretch of the road.

Superintendent Col. Witoon Kongsudjai of Cherng Talay police station said the Canadian and Australian embassies have been notified.

In response to an inquiry, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade issued a statement saying it was aware of reports of the death of two Canadians following a motor vehicle accident in Thailand.

"Consular assistance is being provided to those concerned," it said, adding that it could offer no further information due to the Privacy Act.