Phuketwan UPDATE
SIX people have died on Phuket roads with 24 hours of the New Year danger period still to go. Five of them were Phuket locals. Officials named the dead Australian as Roger Stephen Quinn, 55. Only three deaths were recorded on the island in the last NY danger period.
Original Report
AN AUSTRALIAN tourist was killed when a taxi crashed on its way from Patong to Phuket International Airport last night.
The man's travelling companion, an Australian woman, was injured in the collision with a minivan about 6.45pm and is in Vachira Hospital in Phuket City.
Police told Phuketwan that the van crossed to the wrong side of the road about 500 metres from the Caltex intersection in Kathu.
An officer was interviewing the Australian woman today to ascertain precise details of the crash. A second person was also in hospital with injuries.
It is believed the crash took place on a notorious curve in unusually wet conditions.
Embassy officials were in the process of informing the man's relatives.
The death of the Australian brings the toll for the critical seven-day New Year holiday period to at least four.
In 2006-7 there were three deaths on Phuket, in 2007-8 seven deaths and in 2008-9 three deaths.
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I am very sorry for the victim and his family members. An accident like that is very sad.
From my experience the Airport-Limousine and Minibusdrivers are among the biggest threat to the other people on the road. They are speeding, doing crazy overtaking maneuvers, crossing red lights on a regular basis, not queuing as the others do.
Just recently one Airport-Limousine crashed into an electric-pole 20m in front of me. I was on a bicycle and very very lucky...
Posted by Richi on January 4, 2010 11:27