Elderly Belgian hospitalized after roadside incident

PHUKET CITY: A morning cycle ride turned into a nightmare for a 68-year-old Belgian expat who was hospitalized after allegedly being knocked off his bicycle by a pickup truck and then set upon by the driver.

Paul Cassiens was cycling along Chao Fa West Rd yesterday morning when at 6:30 am his bike came into contact with a bronze Toyota Vigo pickup truck, sending him to the ground, said Mr Cassiens’ wife, Khun Rattana, who rushed to the scene after receiving a phone call from a doctor based at Bangkok Hospital Phuket who had stopped to assist Mr Cassiens.

A nearby shop owner who witnessed the collision said the driver of the pickup got out of the truck and proceeded to kick and punch the elderly Belgian, alleged Khun Rattana.

K. Rattana said the pickup driver fled the scene after she asked if the police had been called.

Mr Cassiens is being treated in Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s intensive care unit for a broken hip, internal bleeding, a ruptured kidney and several fractures, she added.

K. Rattana filed a report with Captain Krirkkrit Ritnueng of Phuket City Police Station.

Although Captain Krirkkri initially said that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of the driver, the Gazette has learned that the vehicle’s owner, whom police have tracked down, was not the person alleged to have attacked Mr Cassiens.

Police are now waiting to speak with the owner of the pickup to determine who the driver was.