Police yet to question crew over Phuket diver death

PHUKET: Almost two weeks after Japanese dive tourist Hitomi Shibata died after being struck in the head with a boat propeller off Koh Racha Noi, police have yet to question the crew of the boat she was on.

Chalong Police Duty Officer Attawat Suwannarat on Wednesday told the Phuket Gazette that he was still investigating the case and had not arrested or charged any suspects.

“I need to question related crew members and [government] officers, as well as ask dive specialists about diving rules and regulations.

“If the law or any regulations state that one diving instructor is required for each student, the diving instructor may be charged for negligence in the care of his student,” he said.

The cause of the accident has yet to be confirmed, he added.

“If it is determined that negligence [on the part of the crew] was responsible, it is considered a criminal case. But if it is determined that the death resulted from negligence on the part of the deceased, the case will be terminated,” he said.

— Janpen Upatising