Australian student dies in four-story fall

PATONG: A 23-year-old Australian student died after falling four stories from his hotel room in the early hours of this morning.

Police believe that Christian Jorgen Halkjaer, from Perth, slipped and fell from the balcony of his room at the Patong Beach Lodge, Rat-U-Thit 200 Phi Rd, after a night out with friends.

Pol Lt Col Chaowalit Niemwadee, Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette that Mr Halkjaer had been on holiday with eight friends.

He said that he received a call from the hotel’s security guard at 4 am, and arrived at the scene with a doctor from Patong Hospital about 10 minutes later to find Mr Halkjaer on the ground, dead from a broken neck.

Col Chaowalit said police believe Mr Halkjaer’s death was accidental because the body was found lying face-up.

The Australian Embassy has been notified and is making arrangements for the body to be sent home.