PHUKET: The ''captains'' of two speedboats involved in a crash that took the life of one Chinese tourist and injured two others have disappeared, a Marine Police officer said today.
''We haven't been able to find these men to ask them what happened,'' Phuketwan was told.
An official at the Chinese Consul in Haad Yai, which also oversees the Phuket region, said: ''The husband of the young woman who died today is grieving deeply.
''These kinds of events should not happen at a holiday destination.''
Kang Xiao Xue, 24, died today at Phuket International Hospital after being admited yesterday with serious injuries from the crash.
Two other Chinese tourists are still being treated at the Phuket City hospital.
Marine Police said they were called to Khai island off Phuket about 4pm yesterday to pick up several injured Chinese tourists.
The officer said he believed the injured were among four tourists on a rubber float, popularly known as a banana boat.
He said the banana float appeared to have been swung too close to the shore, and crashed into the side of a speedboat that was moored or very close to the shore.
Both speedboats are owned by the same company.
''Captains'' of speedboats on Phuket do not undergo any registration or examination. In the past, incidents in which tourists have been injured have not been investigated, nor have those involved been questioned.
The Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, said today the incident would be investigated.
''We haven't been able to find these men to ask them what happened,'' Phuketwan was told.
An official at the Chinese Consul in Haad Yai, which also oversees the Phuket region, said: ''The husband of the young woman who died today is grieving deeply.
''These kinds of events should not happen at a holiday destination.''
Kang Xiao Xue, 24, died today at Phuket International Hospital after being admited yesterday with serious injuries from the crash.
Two other Chinese tourists are still being treated at the Phuket City hospital.
Marine Police said they were called to Khai island off Phuket about 4pm yesterday to pick up several injured Chinese tourists.
The officer said he believed the injured were among four tourists on a rubber float, popularly known as a banana boat.
He said the banana float appeared to have been swung too close to the shore, and crashed into the side of a speedboat that was moored or very close to the shore.
Both speedboats are owned by the same company.
''Captains'' of speedboats on Phuket do not undergo any registration or examination. In the past, incidents in which tourists have been injured have not been investigated, nor have those involved been questioned.
The Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, said today the incident would be investigated.
Fear not, for Khun Phuripat is on the job! No doubt the death and injuries will therefore be declared - "normal".
Posted by stu on November 1, 2012 14:13