German killed in motorbike crash

PHUKET (KATHU): A German man was killed and a young Thai man seriously injured in a head-on collision between two motorbikes last night.

The deceased was identified by Tung Tong Police as German national Peter Baregienda, aged 53.

Mr Baregienda died of severe head injuries sustained when he crashed head-on with a motorbike driven by 20-year-old Thaweechai Boonruam, a resident of Kathu Village 1.

The crash took place at about 10:30 pm along a curved stretch of road a few hundred yards east of the Anupas Golf Ville residential estate.

Mr Baregienda was rushed by Kusoldharm Foundation workers to Phuket International Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Thaweechai was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he is being treated for severe head injuries.

It was not immediately clear whether either man was was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The accident occurred as Mr Thaweechai, on his way to see his girlfriend at Tung Tong market, was overtaking a pickup truck at high speed.