A tragic accident overshadowed the holiday of a 25-year-old Austrian on the Thai island of Phuket. During a jet ski trip he collided with a swimmer. The 58-year-old Russian suffered fatal injuries as the Austrian fled. He was arrested.
The accident took place on December 17 near Karon Beach. The Russian was traveling alone and swimming in the sea when he was apparently hit by the jet ski. His body was not found by local fishermen until shortly after midnight the next day.
It was initially unclear who the deceased was. A beach towel left on the shore with a hotel logo ultimately helped identify the man. It was initially assumed that the 58-year-old had drowned without any outside influence.
Traces of an accident involving a convicted jet ski driver
The twist came when witness statements pointed to the Austrian tourist. Surveillance camera footage also provided clues: investigators discovered that vehicles belonging to the Chao Mai company, which had rented out three jet skis, were involved in the incident. One of the jet skis had scratches and paint damage to the front. The driver was identified as a 25-year-old Austrian, referred to in local media as “Mr David”.
The tragedy makes international headlines:
Hit-and-run captured on video
The surveillance images also showed that the Austrian left the scene of the accident after the collision and drove away on the jet ski. He then apparently fled to another location on the archipelago. Police eventually tracked him down to Phi Phi Island in Krabi Province. He was arrested on Thursday.
Authorities charged the 25-year-old with reckless endangerment resulting in death. However, the Austrian denies all allegations. The case is now causing an international stir.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
