Zhuang Yincheng, a driver with Tianya Shopping Plaza of Sanya City Tourism Company, was driving the bus carrying 16 employees ofthe company at about 8:00 a.m. to work at a local scenic site from Sanya city proper.

At the same time, Chang Xingchun, a driver with Baoguo Farm of Ledong County, was driving a van carrying 13 passengers, heading to Sanya city proper from the farm.

When the van took a left turn at the end of an expressway to enter National Highway 225, it hit the bus at speed. According to witnesses, it appeared the van driver had failed to carefully watch the end of the expressway.

Five people in the van were killed instantly, including the driver, and another two were declared dead in hospital. Six people in the van, which was completely destroyed, were injured, as were four from the bus, which was seriously damaged in the accident.

The identities of the dead and injured, as well as the cause of the accident are still being investigated.

Sanya, which sits on the southern tip of Hainan Island, has grown into one of China's most popular tourism destinations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2002)