Thai bus crash kills at least 22

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Emergency services at the scene of the crash

At least 22 people were killed and 50 badly injured when a bus overturned before dawn in eastern Thailand.

The bus was driving on a steep, winding road when it smashed into a hillside in Prachinburi province, reports said.

Highway police suspect the driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel, and believe he has also been killed.

The bus was carrying a group of students from a technology university in north-eastern Khon Kaen province and was driving overnight to the coast.

"Initial investigation shows that the bus might have had a brake failure and could not stop on the steep road," police Maj Suchart Yaemsak told reporters.

Police fear more casualties may occur as some of those injured are in serious condition.

The students were on a field trip when the accident occurred at 0330 local time (2030 GMT), 135 km (83 miles) east of Bangkok.