Australian rising athletics star Jemma Stapleton, 25, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, after losing control of her bike on a rain-soaked road and sliding into oncoming traffic. The fatal collision occurred on the afternoon of 10 June on Thawirat Phakdi Road near the Lamai Zigzag Curve, a steep and winding section of road known for its challenging conditions.

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CCTV footage released on 13 June captured the moments leading up to the crash. According to investigators, Stapleton’s motorcycle lost traction on the wet surface before sliding across the centre line into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Her body struck one of the vehicles with significant force before sliding along the road.

The motorcycle also continued to slide before coming to rest near another vehicle. At the time of the crash, heavy rain had been falling continuously, leaving the road surface wet and slippery, with water flowing across parts of the carriageway.

Medical personnel from Koh Samui Hospital attended the scene and carried out a preliminary examination. They found severe head injuries and multiple bruises across Stapleton’s body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigations established that Stapleton had been riding ahead of her family, who were travelling behind her on several motorcycles. Family members present included her father, mother, twin brother, younger brother and his girlfriend. The family later informed authorities that they had no concerns regarding the circumstances of her death.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Officers from Bo Phut Police Station have gathered evidence from the crash scene, reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed the victim’s family, witnesses and the drivers of the three vehicles involved. Authorities said they will continue examining all evidence before issuing a detailed conclusion on the cause of the incident .

Matichon reported that Stapleton’s death has caused deep sadness among her family, teammates and the Australian athletics community. She was regarded as a promising athlete with a bright future and had previously achieved notable results in national-level competitions in Australia.

Caution video shows the crash

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 14 June 2026

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The amount of water on the road is horrific.

Not gonna watch that video, thank you. Imagine being the family and watching as the accident unfolds right in front of you. Tragic.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

The amount of water on the road is horrific.

True, but not at all unusual either.

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Can't see from the video too much but she should be riding far left not in the middle of the road. Plus it is too wet to ride. Stop and wait for rain to stop.

3 hours ago, Front Row said:

Not gonna watch that video, thank you. Imagine being the family and watching as the accident unfolds right in front of you. Tragic.

The family were there with her, riding other motorcycles, so they saw the accident unfold right in front of them.

It look like the three bikes had just overtaken something and two of them came back over to the left. She didn't.

The poor driver of the car which she hit was trying to turn away from her sliding body. But she would have hit the next one if no that one.

12 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

The family were there with her, riding other motorcycles, so they saw the accident unfold right in front of them.

Isn’t that what I just said?

7 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

It look like the three bikes had just overtaken something and two of them came back over to the left. She didn't.

The poor driver of the car which she hit was trying to turn away from her sliding body. But she would have hit the next one if no that one.

Can't see her overtaking anyone. Clear space on the left of the road and no vehicles behind her. It appears she lost control and slide on the wrong side of the road.

Awful to watch.................. A decent full face could well have saved her..........................

It looks like the road has two lanes for each way and she appears to be on the wrong side of the road on the bend in hazardous rain conditions going too fast... blimey.

To fast.

Wrong position in road.

Looks like her crash helmet come off or was not on in the first place. ?

Always pays to do crash helmet up correctly.

R.I.P. Lady.

As 20+ year Samui-resident I'm quite familiar with this road — which actually recently has been enlarged to four lanes (2+2) and is much safer than earlier — many motorbikes, mainly foreigners, probably tourists, often drives too fast and in the lane towards the middle of the road instead of more safely in the left side. It can actually be a bit of a challenge being driver of a car there.

If you are not familiar with the road, the turns and the rise and fall of level, it's a difficult ride — also in a car, you need to use low gear in several turns — and when raining it can be extremely difficult.

From the video she seems to have been driving near the middle of the road in the turn, and too fast for the conditions in slippery rain weather. You can see how the rainwater flows of the road-surface. The cars in the opposite lane, the tilted motorbike and her body hits, changed lane and stopped duly and didn't seem to be driving fast. You can furthermore see that another two motorbikes just in front of her also are near the middle marker line, it seems like a manoeuvre often used by motorbikes to cut a turn shorter.

Foreigners be aware: Samui is among the most dangerous places (in the World) to drive — especially on a motorbike — unfortunately many foreigners get serious damages or die.

Maybe more social media influencers should be talking about the dangerous road conditions and all the motorcycle deaths on the roads instead of the fancy drone shots of the beach lifestyle and the drinking and partying to tourists.

Heartbreaking.