Jet ski accident off Phuket coast leads to tourist’s tragic death
A tragic accident involving a jet ski and a tourist took place off the coast of Karon, Phuket, leading to the tourist’s disappearance underwater. The body was discovered in the early hours of this morning and police are set to conduct an autopsy to investigate further.
At 7pm yesterday, December 17, Sanya Suksawat, a police officer with the Karon Police Station, received a report of a jet ski colliding with a person in the sea near a local establishment in Karon, Phuket. Upon receiving the call, he informed Kunadach Na Nongkhai, a senior officer, and proceeded to the scene.
Jate Patnawat, a 29 year old man who reported the incident, explained that he was at his shop when a foreign tourist approached him. The tourist had witnessed the collision and disappearance of the individual beneath the water. They shared a video clip via Airdrop, urging Jate to contact the relevant officials for assistance.
The video, received at 6.18pm, showed the area of the incident but lacked clear footage of the actual collision. Concerned, Jate promptly notified the police to investigate.
The police then alerted the Pak Bang Water Rescue Centre and a local foundation to aid in the search. Investigators also began reviewing CCTV footage and tracking jet ski rental records in the vicinity.
Later, around 12.45am today, local fishermen diving for squid near rocks close to the shop reported finding a body trapped among the rocks. The discovery was immediately reported to the foundation, and the body was brought to Kata Beach, Pak Bang Road, reported KhaoSod.
Investigators coordinated with forensic doctors from Vachira Phuket Hospital to conduct a preliminary autopsy. The initial examination suggested the individual had been deceased for approximately two to four hours, with no visible injuries.
A further autopsy on the unnamed foreign tourist is planned to check for any internal injuries as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of death.
