British man dies in motorbike smash

PHUKET, KAMALA: A British tourist was killed in a head-on collision with a passenger van near the entrance to the Tavorn Beach Village and Spa yesterday morning.

Peter Stephenson, 52, had been in Thailand for two months and was planning to marry his Thai girlfriend, according to Duty Officer Chansarawut Saengarun of Kamala Police.

The owner and driver of the Toyota minibus, 34-year-old Aarak Yayee, said he was driving with his wife to Patong from their Kamala home to pick up some guests when the accident occurred.

Mr Stephenson lost control of his 1,000cc Suzuki while coming down a hilly, curved stretch of the Patong-Kamala road at high speed, Mr Aarak said.

Mr Aarak said he tried to move out of the path of the bike after it crossed the center line, but failed to do so and the Suzuki slammed into the front of his minibus, he said.

Kamala police officers and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation were called to the scene.

Mr Stephenson was given first aid, but died en route to Patong Hospital.

Examination of Mr Stephenson’s body showed he suffered massive head trauma, a broken neck, and fractures to his legs and arms.

The entire front right side of Mr Aarak’s minibus was left crumpled and the windscreen smashed from the impact.

Mr Stephenson’s family have been informed of his death through the British Embassy.