A tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon near Koh Maiton, as a speedboat named Apirak crashed into rocks, resulting in the death of a five year old Russian girl and injuries to nine others, including the boat’s captain and crew.
Officials are currently awaiting the results of drug tests conducted on the boat driver, 41 year old Natthawut Wongwilai, and the crew. He remains in a coma and is awaiting surgery following injuries sustained in the crash.
Phuket’s deputy health chief, Somsook Samphanprateep, revealed that an initial drug test on the boat driver indicated the presence of a substance in the “amphetamine category”
“However, the specific substance has yet to be identified.”
The crew of the speedboat also underwent drug testing, with results pending.
The incident occurred when the twin-engine boat, carrying seven Russian tourists returning from the Phi Phi islands to Phuket, collided with rocks near Koh Maiton island at high speed around 3:20 pm on Sunday. Weather and wave conditions were reportedly not hazardous for boats at the time.
In addition to the fatality of the young Russian girl, seven other Russian tourists sustained injuries, three of whom have already been discharged from hospitals. The remaining injured individuals include the boat driver and the crew. The driver suffered multiple facial wounds, and his condition is critical, requiring monitoring of brain and spine functions. He is currently dependent on a respirator and is expected to undergo surgery.
Among the injured tourists, a 45 year old Russian woman suffered a punctured liver and broken pelvis, while a Russian man had ruptured lungs. A three year old Russian child sustained a head injury.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are awaiting the completion of drug test results for further insights into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
