THE family of Christopher Hart in Manchester has been told of his death, said his brother-in-law, Stephen Brierley, who also lives on Phuket. He said Mr Hart, who worked as a teacher, was heading home to his wife and three-year-old son after cricket practice.


PHUKET: A British expat resident died early today after a motorcycle crash in central Phuket, on the island's main highway.

The man, aged 44, slammed into the rear of a pickup in Thepkasattri Road, Thalang.

The pickup had slowed or halted in the north-bound turn lane for the entrance to the Tesco Lotus complex in Thalang about 9.30pm.

The injured man was taken a short distance to Thalang Hospital, which is opposite the Tesco Lotus complex. No safety helmet was found at the scene of the crash.

The man died in hospital at 12.52am today. It is believed he lived on Phuket with other members of his family.

The pickup driver and his wife, who was also in the vehicle, are to be interviewed later today.

Phuketwan has been given the dead man's name but is withholding publication until relatives have been notified.

A disproportionate number of expat residents and tourists are killed in motorcycle crashes on Phuket.

Phuket Public Health is conducting a campaign to reduce the road toll but has ceased issuing monthly updates.

When the last monthly tally was issued for April, the number of deaths on Phuket's roads was trending down. The toll has been steadily reduced over the past few years.

However, the number of injured and maimed remains at alarming levels, largely because lack of a safe alternative public transport network on Phuket means many people choose to ride motorcycles.