PATONG, PHUKET – A British tourist and professional boxer has died after falling from a tuk-tuk in Phuket. Police have located and are questioning the driver of the brightly colored vehicle. The 34-year-old apparently continued driving for kilometers without noticing his passenger was missing.
Tödlicher Sturz nach Barbesuch
Colin Cairney, 29, had intended to go out on the night of June 14th. He and a companion boarded a tuk-tuk in the notorious nightlife district of Soi Bangla. The destination was a hotel on Kalim Beach. Upon arrival, the two tourists found they did not have enough cash to pay the fare.
Irrfahrt zu drei Geldautomaten
The driver, identified as Kijphong, 34, stated he then drove the intoxicated Briton to three different ATMs. The situation was the same at each location: Cairney was unable to withdraw money.
Frustrated, the driver decided to take the group back to Soi Bangla. It was on Phra Barami Road that the tragedy unfolded.
„Ich habe etwas gemerkt, bin aber weitergefahren“
The tuk-tuk driver said he noticed something unusual with the vehicle. However, he did not stop, but simply kept driving. It was only two kilometers later that he realized the foreign passenger was gone. Cairney had apparently fallen from the vehicle and lay seriously injured on the road.
Kein Notruf nach dem Drama
Instead of alerting the police or an ambulance, Kijphong did not go to the authorities. He made no report of the incident to anyone. On June 15th, officers from the Patong Police Station apprehended him. The 34-year-old, originally from Phatthalung province, was brought in for questioning.
Umfassendes Geständnis und zwei Anklagen
At the police station, the driver provided a full confession. He stated that he had rented the tuk-tuk from his elder brother. Police Major Surachart Thongyai proceeded to file two significant charges: negligent homicide, and failure to render aid and report an accident.
Onkel des Opfers schaltet sich ein
The deceased Briton was known as a professional boxer. An uncle of his resides in Phuket province. Discussions regarding compensation are currently underway with him. The driver remains in custody during the ongoing investigation.