Italian tourist dies under bus

PATONG: Italian tourist Michael D’Aries, 31, was run over by a tour bus and died in front of the C&N Resort in Patong at about 3:15 am yesterday. Pol Lt Col Pisit Chunpet of Kathu Police Station told the Gazette that Mr D’Aries was driving a rented JDR scooter along Sirirat Rd with a Thai woman riding pillion. They were traveling towards Karon with friends on other motorbikes, when Mr D’Aries pulled out into the right lane to overtake the group of riders. Seeing the oncoming bus, he quickly swerved back into the left lane, clipping another rider. Mr D’Aries lost control and his bike fell over, spilling both himself and his passenger into the middle of the road, where they were run over by the bus. The pair were rushed to Patong Hospital. Dr Anusorn Jankong told the Gazette that Mr D’Aries was declared dead on arrival. The passenger was moved to Wachira Phuket Hospital, where she is breathing through a respirator. She suffered a brain hemorrhage along with fractures to both her right leg and shoulder, a hospital spokesperson said. On the night of the accident, Mr D’Aries was celebrating the last day of his holiday in Thailand.