A Ukrainian national has been hospitalised in Phuket with serious injuries after a speeding taxi collided with his motorbike. The Phuket News reports that the collision happened at the Sam Kong Intersection on the bypass road, on Tuesday afternoon, December 19.
The motorbike rider has been named as 28-year-old Artur Kostenko. He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment. It’s understood he was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
According to Phuket Tourist Police, CCTV footage shows the accident occurred at around 4.30pm. The taxi sustained heavy damage to its front right and both doors on the left side of the vehicle. Mr Kostenko’s bike was lying in the gutter and also badly damaged.
The Phuket News reports that CCTV footage of the area shows Mr Kostenko, who was travelling north on the bypass road, waiting at a red light at the intersection. He can be seen moving off quickly, but only after the light turned green.
The taxi, driven by 37 year old Naphatphong Thipprapai, approached from Phra Phuket Kaew Road, travelling towards Yaowarat Road. It was being driven “very quickly” according to witnesses and struck Mr Kostenko.
The Ukrainian embassy has been informed of the incident and the police have met with Mr Kostenko’s family and friends at Vachira Phuket Hospital.
So far, the police have not confirmed that the only way Naphatphong could have collided with Mr Kostenko would have been if he had sped through a red light. They have also not confirmed what charges, if any, the taxi driver will face.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
