Man and child die in jet ski accident in Pattaya, Thailand

A 35 year old man and seven year old boy were killed in a jet ski accident yesterday at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand.

At 7pm, officers at Pattaya City Police Station were informed that a jet ski overturned in the sea near the entrance of Soi 14 and two people were missing. Police rushed to the scene with doctors from Bangkok Hospital and responders from the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation.

Seven year old Pathomphon Phonrat was unconscious and seriously injured when he was pulled from the sea. There was a lot of blood coming out of his mouth, his neck and jaw were broken and his neck was bruised, reports ThaiRath.

Rescue workers performed CPR on the child and rushed him to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 10.10pm. Doctors said the child died from a broken neck and jawbone.

Police found a blue Yamaha jet ski at the beach and were informed that the 35 year old driver, Pornsuphan Phumnok, was still lost at sea after the accident.

The team sent out a boat and found Pornsuphan’s body floating face down in the sea about 50 metres from the shore less than one hour later. He had severe wounds on his eyebrows, under his left eye, and lips.

A witness, 37 year old Tony from Vietnam – who rents out umbrellas on the beach – said he was clearing things away at the beach when he saw the man take the child for a ride on his jet ski.

He saw the jet ski take a sharp turn and overturn about 30 metres away from the shore. He said both the man and child were flung into the air and hit the side of the jet ski.

Tony jumped onto a jet ski immediately and drove out to find the child floating in the sea wearing a life jacket, but the driver was nowhere to be found. He helped take the unconscious child to the shore and notified officials to request help.

Both bodies were taken to the Forensic Institute for autopsies to be undertaken before being returned to their families.