Tourist dies in motorbike smash

KATHU: A British tourist riding a rented motorcycle died in hospital after his head struck the side-mirror of a truck traveling in the opposite direction. Officers named the man as Craig Curry, 32. At the wheel of the truck was Wiwat Padungpol, 26, who has been charged with careless driving. Mr Curry, who had been vacationing in Phuket Town, was on his way to Patong about 1:30 am on Tuesday. The fatal impact came on an S-bend in Baan Ketho in Kathu, close to the turn-off to Bang Wad reservoir. K. Wiwat told police that Mr Curry crossed over to the wrong side of the road and his head hit the truck’s side mirror. He was not wearing a helmet. Pol Capt Ampolwat Saengreung, duty inspector of Tung Tong Police Station, said weather conditions were not good and the road was wet and slippery. There were no marks to indicate that either the motorcycle or the truck had attempted to avoid the impact. Mr Curry was found on the road and the red Honda Dream he was riding ended up in the klong 15 meters away. He died soon afterward at Phuket International Hospital from massive head injuries. Police investigations are continuing and the British embassy has been notified.