Tourist charged over girlfriend’s jet-ski death in Phuket
The partner of an Australian woman tragically killed in a Phuket jet-ski accident will be charged with reckless driving causing death.
Police said Thomas Keating, 22, will face charges after his jet-ski careered into another one being driven by girlfriend Emily Jayne Collie.
He told police strong sunlight reflecting from the water obliterated his view moments before impact.
He suffered only minor injuries while Miss Collie was pronounced dead a short while later at hospital.
“Ms Collie’s boyfriend, Mr Keating, who was driving the other jet-ski when they collided, will face a charge of reckless driving causing death,” Thai police lieutenant Patiwat Yodkhwan told reporters.
The accident took place in the popular Phuket resort of Kata Beach.
Lieutenant Patiwat added the jet-ski operator has waived his right to claimed compensation for the damaged jet-skis as he ‘wants Phuket to have a good reputation as a holiday destination’.
The Phuket jet-ski industry suffered for many years over a reputation for scams, such as verbal and sometimes physical threats to pay up for non-existent damage.
However this had improved in recent times after local authorities cracked down.
Accidents still occur occasionally. Under Thai law, all jet-ski users must hold a license but this is widely overlooked to allow tourists to rent them.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent