Rubson Raid racer airlifted to Phuket after high-speed accident

KOH RACHA YAI: Russian Konstantin Byshevoy, 30, has escaped serious injury after the rigid inflatable dinghy he was racing in flipped at high speed off Koh Racha Yai.

Mr Byshevoy was racing as part of the Ceresit team in the Rubson Raid Turquoise speedboat race. The dinghy flipped on the Day 6 leg of the race, from the Phi Phi Islands to Koh Racha Yai.

The Royal Thai Navy dispatched a helicopter after receiving a call for assistance at 3:30 pm.

Mr Byshevoy was airlifted to the Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital by ambulance.

Although a RTN press release said Mr Byshevoy suffered serious injuries to his neck and back, he is now recuperating at Phuket International Hospital. A nurse there told the Gazette that he is expected to make a full recovery.