Facial reconstruction for Phuket boat crash victim

PHUKET: A Chinese tourist injured in the boat collision that killed two tourists and left 18 others wounded is receiving facial reconstructive surgery at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, hospital officials confirmed today.

The patient, Mr Zigang Zhu, 29, was referred to Bangkok Hospital from Phuket Provincial Hospital.
Staff reported that Mr Zhu sustained multiple fractures, multiple wounds to his right leg and was experiencing facial swelling following the high-speed crash in Phang Nga Bay on June 8 (story here).

Bangkok Hospital Phuket announced in a press release that Dr Piyapas Pichaichanarong will be conducting Mr Zhu’s facial reconstructive surgery.

Phuket authorities have drug tested the two boat captains involved in the collision and are waiting the test results before pressing charges (story here).

The collision reportedly occurred during a severe rain storm, when the two boats collided at high speed while running parallel to each other. Police said they are continuing to gather witness testimony.

Seven other tourists injured in the collision are still in hospital.