In a video provided to The Phuket News, a motorbike rider narrowly escaped being run over by the bus seconds before the driver brought the vehicle to a stop by ploughing it into the temple wall.
Police arrived with Kusoldharm rescue workers to find the blue bus with its side crunched into the wall. The front of the bus was damaged and broken window glass was strewn across the road.
There were more than 30 Chinese tourists, including children, on the bus at the time of the accident.
“Most of them suffered scrapes and bruises, but there no serious injuries,” said Maj Patapee Srichai of the Patong Police.
“Regardless, all victims were taken to Patong Hospital,” he added.
Also at the scene were two damaged minivans and a damaged Honda Jazz.
“This road is very steep and the bottom of the hill has a very sharp turn,” Maj Patapee said.
“The bus driver is probably new to this route. He possibly he lost control of his vehicle while descending the hill, which meant he could not slow down or maybe the bus’s brakes failed.
“However, we are still investigating this,” he said.