Staff urgently use helicopter to take Pince Norodom Ranariddh to capital city for emergency rescue. Photo: Cambodia China Times(CCT)

Bangkok (People's Daily) - A car accident severely injures a Cambodian prince and leaves his wife dead, officials said.

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

Unfortunately Ouk Phalla died at 1 p.m. local time for her serious wound after emergency rescue, said Gen. Chuon Narin, police chief of Preah Sihanouk province.

The accident happened at 9:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) in Prey Nop district, when their SUV hit head-on with another car driving in the opposite direction, said the police chief.

Ranariddh, a son of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, was traveling from the riverside town of Kampot to Preah Sihanouk, campaigning for national elections set for July 29.

The Funcinpec Party issued a statement Sunday mourning the loss of Ouk Phalla.

"The death of Princess Ouk Phalla represents the loss of an important patriot on behalf of the country. May princess rest in peace," said the statement.

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

The prince was the former co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997 and ex-president of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.

(Compiled by Bai Yuanqi)