Truck collision on Can Tho bridge causes major traffic jam

A truck driver died and his passenger was seriously injured after their vehicle rear-ended another truck on the Can Tho bridge on Tuesday morning, causing a 4 km traffic jam.

At approximately 5:30 am, 27-year-old Nguyen Ngoc Duc from Thanh Hoa province was driving an enclosed truck with a TP HCM license plate across the Can Tho bridge from Vinh Long to Can Tho. Near the center of the bridge, his truck collided with the rear of an 8-ton truck carrying steel, with an An Giang license plate. The steel truck, driven by 24-year-old Vo Tan Loc, had stopped in the lane closest to the median, possibly due to a flat tire.

Authorities investigate the accident scene on the Can Tho bridge on Tuesday morning. Photo: An Binh

Authorities investigate the accident scene on the Can Tho bridge on Tuesday morning. Photo: An Binh

The impact severely damaged the front of Duc’s truck. Both Duc and his 22-year-old passenger, also from Thanh Hoa province, were trapped inside and seriously injured. Bystanders helped extricate them from the wreckage, and they were transported to the hospital. Duc succumbed to his injuries.

The accident caused a major traffic jam extending from the middle of the bridge to the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway entrance. Traffic police arrived to investigate and manage the flow of traffic. The high volume of vehicles resulted in significant delays.

Traffic jam on the Can Tho bridge on Tuesday morning. Photo: An Binh

Traffic jam on the Can Tho bridge on Tuesday morning. Photo: An Binh

The 2.75 km-long, 23 m-wide Can Tho bridge has 6 lanes and a design speed of 80 km/h. It spans the Hau River, connecting Vinh Long and Can Tho. Construction began in 2004 and was completed after more than 5 years. It boasts the longest main span (550 m) of any cable-stayed bridge in Southeast Asia. A second Can Tho bridge has been proposed to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing structure.