Video Report: Search continues for missing tourists after devastating Phuket speedboat crash

PHUKET: The search continues for two tourists who went missing after their speedboat crashed into a fishing trawler about 11 kilometers from Koh Yao Noi, east of Phuket, at about 5:30pm yesterday.

The Navy renewed its search for the male and female Korean, who rescuers were unable to recover after the crash, by boat and helicopter at 8am today. However, the hunt has yet to yield results, confirmed Rear Admiral Somchai Na Bangchang.

The trawler, which suffered only minor damage in the crash, carried the six speedboat crew members and 35 tourists of varying nationalities – including Australians, Chinese, French, Japanese and British – to safety after the collision.

The captain then contacted Phuket Marine Police, who had their first ships on site in about 30 minutes, confirmed Phuket Marine Police Deputy Commander Prasert Srikhunrat.

Rescue workers and hospital staff rushed to Rassada Pier to receive the influx of injured people (story here).

“In order to ensure an effective rescue, we divided victims as they arrived into three groups based on the severity of their injuries,” one rescue worker told the Phuket Gazette.

“We were able to get each victim taken care of and to a hospital within 30 minutes of their arrival at the pier.”

Ten of the victims were seriously injured and rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Police are now investigating the cause of the accident, which sank the Seastar speedboat.

The 39-year-old speedboat driver, Surat Matosot, has been detained by Krabi Provincial Police.

“I can’t imagine how the crash could have occurred if Mr Surat was practicing due diligence. There wasn’t any rain at the time, only a bit of wind,” said Col Prasert.

“We did check that there were enough life vests provided and that the boat wasn’t overloaded. I urge all tourists to wear their life jackets when travelling by boat in the region.”

Additional reporting by Woranut Pechdee

* The story originally named the speedboat driver as Surat Mad-Orod, 36.

— Natthaphol Wittayarungrote