British pilot dies in Phuket accident

PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a 41-year-old British pilot after he came off his bike south of Patong, on Phuket’s west coast, and was run over by an oncoming pickup on Saturday.

Capt Weerapong Rakkittoo of Patong Police said that Martin William Wooller was riding northbound to Patong after spending the afternoon swimming at Karon Beach when the accident happened.

On his way back to his rented apartment near the C&N Hotel on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, Mr Wooller was struck by a pickup heading southbound near Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort on Sirirat Road at about 6pm.

When police arrived at the scene Mr Wooller was found lying on the southbound side of the road, said Capt Weerapong.

“He might have been overtaking another motorbike heading toward Patong or he may have slipped off his bike and fallen onto the wrong side of the road, before he was struck by the oncoming pickup,” he said.

A Kusoldham Foundation rescue volunteer who responded to the emergency call told the Phuket Gazette that Mr Wooller was still conscious at the time rescue volunteers arrived.

“He couldn’t open his eyes because he had suffered serious head injury. There were deep cuts on his face and his neck was swollen,” he said.

Mr Wooller was taken to Patong Hospital then transferred to Phuket International Hospital, but despite best efforts by medical staff there Mr Wooller died from his injuries at about 10pm, Capt Weerapong said.

“We are still investigating what happened, and we are still questioning witnesses and the pickup driver,” he added.

Capt Weerapong confirmed that the British embassy in Bangkok had been notified of the incident and so had Mr Wooller’s next of kin.

— Atchaa Khamlo