36 killed, 36 hurt in China road crash

At least 36 people died and 36 others were injured in east China when a packed coach with a flat tyre collided with a truck, authorities said yesterday. The bus was carrying 69 people -- its maximum capacity -- when it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the freight truck on an expressway in eastern Jiangsu province on Saturday morning, the Yixing public security bureau said. A preliminary investigation determined that the accident was caused by a flat tyre on the left front wheel of the bus, the bureau said in a statement.