The scene after the accident between Cao Thai Son’s car and a tourist train in Da Lat, December 8, 2023. Photo by Cao Thai Son
Singer Cao Thai Son’s car collided with a tourist train near Trai Mat station in the central highlands city of Da Lat on Friday.
At around 4:30 p.m., Son’s Audi was driving on Nam Ho Street towards Ho Xuan Huong Street in central Da Lat. When he reached the level crossing near Trai Mat station, the driver failed to notice the warning signals as the car passed through the station area.
The car then crashed into a passing tourist train.
At least two people, Son’s mother and sister, were sent to hospital after the accident. The carriage was damaged, the train’s barrier was broken and its left headlight was broken.
Nguyen Vo Minh Chanh, director of Da Lat station, said the railway section from the city center to Trai Mat is used for scenic tours, so the speed limit is less than 15 km/h. At the time of the accident, the train was carrying more than 100 passengers returning to Da Lat after their tourist trip. After the incident, the station arranged vehicles to take passengers back to Da Lat station.
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Damaged car after collision with a train in Da Lat, December 8, 2023. Photo by Cao Thai Son |
Son said the accident happened while his family was on vacation. He and his sister sat in the back, while his mother was in the front passenger seat.
“I often sleep during long journeys because of my busy schedule. I woke up when I heard the accident because I was wearing my seat belt, so I wasn’t thrown from my seat” , declared the singer. “It’s a valuable lesson for me to be more careful on the road.”
Cao Thai Son, 38, has accumulated a large fan base in Vietnam.
The Da Lat – Trai Mat route is part of the Thap Cham – Da Lat Railway, one of the world’s first rack and pinion mountain railways. Its construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1932. Recent proposals are on the table to renovate and repair the Da Lat – Trai Mat road due to serious deterioration.
