Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh's mangled car sits on the side of a road after a head-on collision with a taxi.

A Cambodian prince who was a candidate in upcoming general elections was seriously injured Sunday in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people, officials said.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, 74, was in a convoy along with senior members of his Funcinpec party heading toward Sihanoukville in southwest Cambodia when a taxi travelling in the opposite direction slammed into his SUV, said a senior party member in the group.

Ranariddh's wife, Ouk Phalla, who died in hospital after the crash, was also standing as a candidate in Cambodia's general election next month.

AP Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his wife Ouk Phalla were both due to stand in upcoming general elections.

Ranariddh suffered head injuries and was transferred to Phnom Penh for urgent treatment, Sihanoukville police chief Chuon Narin said.

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Ranariddh was Cambodia's co-prime minister for four years in an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with current Prime Minister Hun Sen after his party won a United Nations-organised election in 1993.

His party's popularity was largely due to its royalist credentials, although Ranariddh's personal relations with his popular father, late King Norodom Sihanouk, were often strained.

He was ousted in July 1997 and fled abroad when long-simmering tensions between him and Hun Sen exploded into two days of bitter fighting in Phnom Penh between his forces and those loyal to Hun Sen.

Ranariddh was allowed to return to contest elections the following year but failed to repeat his success at the ballot.

He slid into political irrelevancy, as Funcinpec became co-opted by Hun Sen, a much savvier and tougher politician than Ranariddh.

Ouk Phalla, a classical Cambodian dancer reported to be descended from a separate royal family branch, was Ranariddh's second wife.</s>The former Cambodian prime minister has been seriously injured in a car crash which killed his wife and injured at least seven others on Sunday.

Officials said Prince Norodom Ranariddh was in a convoy with other senior figures of his FUNCINPEC party and was heading towards the seaside town of Sihanoukville in southwestern Cambodia.

The SUV the 74-year-old politician was travelling in collided with a taxi travelling in the opposite direction, according to a senior party member in the group.

The deadly crash comes ahead of the country's general election next month, in which the former prime minister and his wife were running as candidates.

Police chief General Chuon Narin said Prince Ranariddh had suffered head injuries and was sent to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh for treatment.

The officer said the politician's wife, Ouk Phalla, died in hospital.

The prince - a son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk - was Cambodia's co-prime minister for four years in an uneasy power-sharing deal with the current leader Hun Sen after his party won a United Nations-organised election in 1993.

His royal background made him popular despite having a strained relationship with his father.

Prince Ranariddh was ousted in 1997 and fled abroad as tensions between him and Mr Sen boiled over and led to two days of clashes in the capital between supporters of the two leaders.

He has not returned to power since.

Ms Phalla was a classical Cambodian dancer, reportedly descended from a seperate royal branch, and was the prince's second wife.</s>Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh was injured and his wife killed in a two-vehicle collision that left five others also injured on Sunday morning in the resort city of Sihanoukville, a police official said.

Sihanoukville police chief Chuon Narin said Ranariddh’s sport utility vehicle collided head-on with an SUV taxi carrying five people around 9am.

The prince, who heads the royalist FUNCINPEC party, and his wife, Ouk Phalla, who were on their way to see supporters in Sihanoukville, were seriously injured and immediately sent to a hospital in Sihanoukville. His wife later succumbed to her injuries around 12.30pm, according to the police chief. All five people in the taxi also suffered injuries.

It is the second time in nearly three years that Prince Ranariddh and his wife have been involved in a collision. In April 2015, a truck ran into two vehicles including the prince’s SUV, injuring him and his wife.

Ranariddh is the second son of the late monarch Norodom Sihanouk and a half-brother of the current king, Norodom Sihamoni.

His party is taking part in the July 29 elections despite widespread complaints that the poll will be neither free nor fair after the main opposition group the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was banned late last year.

Hun Sen, the prime minister who has been in power for 33 years, has crushed dissent leading up to the election, ensuring a resounding victory for his ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

Ranariddh has had a historically fraught relationship with Hun Sen, who pushed him out of power in 1997. But he has cosied up to the former foe as part of a political comeback, and was granted one of the CNRP’s parliamentary seats after they were redistributed.

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Cambodia, where road rules are weakly enforced. Motorways also lack dividers while speed limits are often ignored.</s>Phnom Penh: Former Cambodian Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh has been seriously injured Sunday in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people, officials said.

The 74-year-old Ranariddh was in a convoy along with senior figures of his FUNCINPEC party heading toward Sihanoukville in south-west Cambodia when a taxi travelling in the opposite direction slammed into his SUV, said a senior party member in the group.

Cambodia will hold a general election next month in which both Ranariddh and his wife were standing as candidates.

Sihanoukville Police Chief General Chuon Narin said Ranariddh - a son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk - suffered head injuries. He was sent to Phnom Penh for urgent treatment. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh's wife, Ouk Phalla, died in a hospital.</s>Former Cambodian Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh was seriously injured Sunday in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people, officials said.

The 74-year-old Ranariddh was in a convoy along with senior figures of his FUNCINPEC party heading toward Sihanoukville in southwest Cambodia when a taxi traveling in the opposite direction slammed into his SUV, said a senior party member in the group.

Cambodia will hold a general election next month in which both Ranariddh and his wife were standing as candidates.

Sihanoukville police chief Gen. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh — a son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk — suffered head injuries. He was sent to Phnom Penh for urgent treatment. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh's wife, Ouk Phalla, died in a hospital.

Ranariddh was Cambodia's co-prime minister for four years in an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with current Prime Minister Hun Sen after his party won a United Nations-organized election in 1993. His party's popularity was largely due to its royalist credentials, although Ranariddh's personal relations with his popular father were often strained.

He was ousted in July 1997 and then fled abroad when long-simmering tensions between him and Hun Sen exploded into two days of bitter fighting in Phnom Penh between his forces and those loyal to Hun Sen.

Ranariddh was allowed to return to contest elections the following year but failed to repeat his success at the ballot. He slid into political irrelevancy, as FUNCINPEC became co-opted by Hun Sen, a much more savvy and tougher politician than Ranariddh.

Ranariddh is currently president of FUNCINPEC. The party holds 41 seats in the National Assembly, but only because seats held by the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party were distributed to other parties after CNRP was dissolved.

The dissolution was widely seen as a maneuver to ensure an easy victory for Hun Sen in next month's general election, with parties contesting the polls generally seen as hopelessly weak or fronting for the ruling Cambodian People's Party so it can claim it ran a fair race by allowing opposition candidates.

Ranariddh is also president of the Supreme Privy Advisory Council to King Norodom Sihamoni, his half-brother.

Ouk Phalla, a classical Cambodian dancer reported to be descended from a separate royal family branch, was Ranariddh's second wife.</s>PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Former Cambodian Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh has been seriously injured in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people.

A senior official from his FUNCINPEC political party said the 74-year-old Ranariddh was in a convoy Sunday along with senior party figures heading toward Sihanoukville in southwest Cambodia when a taxi travelling in the opposite direction slammed into his SUV.

Sihanoukville police chief Gen. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh — a son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk — suffered head injuries. He was transferred to Phnom Penh for urgent treatment. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh’s wife, Ouk Phalla, died in a hospital.

Ranariddh was co-prime minister for four years in a power-sharing arrangement with current Prime Minister Hun Sen after a U.N.-organized election in 1993.</s>PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Former Cambodian Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh has been seriously injured in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people.

A senior official from his FUNCINPEC political party said the 74-year-old Ranariddh was in a convoy Sunday along with senior party figures heading toward Sihanoukville in southwest Cambodia when a taxi traveling in the opposite direction slammed into his SUV.

Sihanoukville police chief Gen. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh - a son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk - suffered head injuries. He was transferred to Phnom Penh for urgent treatment. Chuon Narin said Ranariddh's wife, Ouk Phalla, died in a hospital.

FILE - In this Sunday, June 3, 2012, file photo, Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh greets people before casting his ballot in a local elections at the Wat Than temple in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Ranariddh, 74, has been seriously injured in a road crash that killed his wife and injured at least seven other people early Sunday. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Ranariddh was co-prime minister for four years in a power-sharing arrangement with current Prime Minister Hun Sen after a U.N.-organized election in 1993.</s>People gathering at the site of an accident between a taxi and a motorcade carrying Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his wife Ouk Phalla, in Preah Sihanouk province, on June 17, 2018.

PHNOM PENH - A Cambodian prince and former prime minister was injured and his wife killed in a head-on collision on a highway in the country's southwest on Sunday, officials said.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his wife Ouk Phalla were rushed to hospital after a taxi travelling in the other direction slammed into their motorcade in Preah Sihanouk province.

Phalla died in a nearby facility while Ranariddh, the head of the royalist Funcinpec party, was flown to Phnom Penh for further treatment.

The death of Phalla is the loss of "a national hero for the Funcinpec party", a posting on Ranariddh's official Facebook page said hours later.

A party member confirmed the wife's death but said Ranariddh, 74, was expected to recover. Details of his injuries were not immediately available.

The accident happened Sunday morning when a taxi carrying several passengers crashed into the convoy carrying the couple and supporters.

A report on the national police website showed badly damaged cars and victims on the roadside. Seven people were initially reported injured.

Ranariddh was travelling from the riverside town of Kampot to Preah Sihanouk as part of campaigning for controversial national elections set for July 29.

Funcinpec is taking part despite widespread complaints that the poll will be neither free nor fair after the main opposition group, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was banned late last year.

Hun Sen, the prime minister who has been in power for 33 years, has crushed dissent leading up to the election, ensuring an expected resounding victory for his ruling Cambodian People's Party.

Ranariddh, the half-brother of Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and son of the late monarch Norodom Sihanouk, has had a fraught relationship with Hun Sen.

The prince served jointly with Hun Sen as prime minister from 1993 to 1997, when he was toppled in a bloody coup led by forces loyal to the strongman.

He never again reached the same level of popularity and was ejected from Funcinpec almost a decade ago, only to return to it in 2015 after several attempted forays back into politics.

In recent years he has reconciled with his former foe as part of a political comeback, and was granted one of the CNRP's parliamentary seats after they were redistributed.

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Cambodia, where road rules are weakly enforced. Highways also lack dividers while speed limits are often ignored.

In 2015 Ranariddh was slightly injured when his car was hit by a truck.</s>Cambodia's Prince Norodom Ranariddh gestures during a congress of Funcinpec Party in Phnom Penh Thomson Reuters PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's Prince Norodom Ranariddh was seriously injured, and his wife killed, in a car crash on Sunday in the southwestern coastal city of Sihanoukville, police said.

Ranariddh's sports utility vehicle was hit head on by a taxi driving in the opposite direction, said Chuon Narin, police chief of the province of Preah Sihanouk.

"The prince was taken in a helicopter for an emergency rescue in Phnom Penh," Chuon Narin told Reuters. "He is seriously injured but he will be fine."

Ranariddh's wife, Ouk Phalla, 39, an exponent of traditional dance, died in a hospital in Preah Sihanouk, Chuon Narin said, adding that both SUVs involved in the crash had been speeding.

The son of the influential late monarch Norodom Sihanouk and half-brother of the current King Norodom Sihamoni, Ranariddh, 73, has had a turbulent political career.

He returned to politics in 2015 to lead the royalist Funcinpec party that ditched him years ago.

In 1997, he was overthrown as co-prime minister in a bloody coup and since his return to politics, had vowed to work with former rival and long-serving prime minister Hun Sen.

Cambodia's Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) last year, leaving the way clear for Hun Sen to extend more than three decades of rule in an election on July 29.

Ranariddh's Funcinpec was allocated most of the CNRP's parliamentary seats after its dissolution, and its leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested over accusations of plotting to take power with the help of the United States.

The CNRP and Washington have both denied the charges.</s>A Cambodian prince and former prime minister is in critical condition and his wife dead after a head-on collision on a coastal highway Sunday, according to police.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his wife Ouk Phalla were both rushed to the hospital after an oncoming Toyota Highlander slammed into their BMW while trying to pass traffic.

Phalla, 39, died in the hospital shortly after the crash, according to officials. Ranariddh, the 74-year-old leader of the Funcinpec political party, was transported to a hospital in Phnom Penh with serious injuries. All five people in the Highlander also suffered injuries, according to the police report.

Photos posted to the National Police website show two totaled SUVs and bodies on a bloodied stretch of road.

Chuon Narin, chief of police in Sihanouk province, told Reuters that Ranariddh “is seriously injured but he will be fine.” He said both vehicles were speeding at the time of the accident.

A news agency close to the government reported Monday that Ranariddh was medically evacuated to Thailand overnight. The hospital in Phnom Penh where Ranariddh was treated declined to comment on the prince’s medical condition.

Ranariddh and Phalla were en route to visit supporters in the seaside town of Sihanoukville during a campaign tour ahead of the country’s upcoming general election. Phalla was also running as a candidate.

Funcinpec is set to contest the July 29 polls despite widespread concerns of a rigged vote. The country’s main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), was disbanded last year and its leaders charged with allegedly plotting to overthrow the government with the help of the U.S.

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Prime Minister Hun Sen has staunchly insisted on his poll’s credibility and has clamped down on dissent and vote boycott efforts in a bid to extend his 33-year rule.

Ranariddh, half-brother of Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, was co-prime minister of Cambodia after his party won U.N.-conducted polls in 1993. After an uneasy power-sharing agreement with Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party, Ranariddh was forcibly ousted in 1997 and fled the country.

Last year, Ranariddh returned to parliament, taking one of the seats redistributed after the dissolution of the CNRP.
A FUNCINPEC party SUV's head-on collision in southwest Cambodia with a taxi seriously injures former Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh and kills his wife Ouk Phalla; both were standing as candidates in the upcoming election. Seven other people were also injured.