Phuket ‘hashers’ mourn three fallen comrades

PHUKET: Two more members of the Phuket Hash House Harriers died this week following the death of a “hasher” in a motorcycle accident on Monday.

The most recent was Ruurd Jansen, 66, who died after the roof of his house collapsed on him on Wednesday.

Mr Jansen and his wife ran a beach-side restaurant called “Som” (“Orange”) near the Laguna complex in Cherng Talay.

He lived in Phuket for about six years and was an avid runner in the Hash, running most weekends, said Jaroen Deknatel, a former “Grand Master” of the Phuket Hash.

Mr Jansen was often better known by his Hash nickname, “Useless”, a joking reminder of the trinkets and souvenirs he sold at his successful gift shop in Holland before he moved to Phuket.

The nickname also played on Mr Jansen being a graduate of the prestigious Nyenrode Business Universiteit in his native Netherlands.

Mr Jansen was knocking down a wall at his home near the Heroines’ Monument when he was killed, said Mr Deknatel.

“He took a sledgehammer and started knocking a wall down. It must have been a supporting wall as the roof came down on top of him.

“A beam struck him. He is believed to have died instantly,” he said.

“He was a very nice guy, a very unassuming guy. It has been a very bad week for the Phuket Harriers,” Mr Deknatel added.

Although details of funeral services for Mr Jansen have yet to be finalized, the Gazette was told today that members of Mr Jansen’s family are expected to arrive in Phuket on Monday to make arrangements for the body.

Funeral services are expected to be held at Cherng Talay Temple on Monday, said Mr Deknatel.

The Gazette will publish more details as they are confirmed.

Mr Jansen’s death followed the death of long-time Phuket Hasher David Lyons, nicknamed “Rosie”.

Mr Lyons, who retired after a long career in the British Armed Forces, died from organ failure in hospital in the UK on Tuesday. He was 69.

The Phuket Hash website reported: “Sir Wanda [Dave Cooper] went to Rotherham Hospice on Monday with Bobby Suks, Doctor Jeckel, Blind Mullet & Fred to see Rosie. Emmy was with him.

“Sir Wanda says, ‘He was full of drugs & I’m not sure if he knew we were there with him. His friend Lol came by with his wife Margaret & another friend came by who I had met in Thailand named Neil.

“We spent a few hours with him then said our goodbyes, it was very obvious that he had only a short time left. I arrived home 8:30pm this evening [Tuesday] and got a phone call to say Rosie has passed away at 7:15pm. God bless him.”

The dire week for Phuket Hashers started on Monday morning with the death of Irish national Patrick “Paddy” O’Mahony.

He was killed when he lost control of his 1,400cc motorcycle on a notoriously dangerous curve on Thepkrasattri Road.

Known by his Hash moniker “Blarney Rubble”, Mr O’Mahony turned 57 the day before he died.

A Buddhist prayer service for Mr O’Mahony will be held at Laem Petch Temple in Patong from 7pm to 8pm tonight.

The funeral service starts 10:30am Sunday, followed by the cremation at 12:30pm.

Phuket Hash House Harriers will mark their 25th anniversary on June 25. Hundreds of hashers from Thailand and neighboring countries have already registered to take part.

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