The driver of a truck that ran through a jogging school group in Shanxi Province on Monday morning, killing 20 students and one teacher, had fallen asleep at the wheel after driving non-stop for eight hours, according to a local official quoted in a local newspaper yesterday.

"He was fast asleep when the truck plowed into them and didn't wake until he drove into trees," said Yue, a Changzhi City spokesperson.

Li Xiaobo, 31 years old, told police he had been driving since around 10 PM on Sunday when he left Licheng County in his coal truck for Qinyuan County in Changzhi, where the accident took place.

According to the local authorities, Li woke up only after knocking down six trees growing alongside the road, after which he made a sharp U-turn. The truck continued for more than 20 meters before stopping.

Yue also said that the teacher who was killed, 32-year-old Jiang Hua, had pushed aside two students before the truck struck him.

Police have detained Li and his co-driver. The school principal was also detained over responsibility for the students' safety.

The local government has promised to pay 10,000 yuan (US$1,238) for each victim's funeral expenses.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2005)