Bangkok Airways Co-pilot Recovering Well;

[churchill]

BANGKOK, Aug 10 (TNA) - The co-pilot of the Bangkok Airways which skidded off the runway at Samui Island early last week is recovering well but remains in intensive care, while two injured foreign tourists have been released, according to Bangkok Hospital.

Four injured tourist remain hospitalised.

Bangkok Hospital director Somchai Chansawang and hospital surgeon Somsit Tancharoen said the co-pilot, Sqn Ldr Thanawat Premruethai's condition was gradually recovering.

The respirator was removed and water can now be given orally. Pilot Thanawat is expected to be transferred from intensive care within one or two days.

The surgeries to stop bleeding in his abdomen and liver, and to reset broken bones in both legs and his lift hip, will continue when he is in stronger health.

Doctors believe that Mr Thanawat, after physical therapy, will fully recover following step-by-step treatment.

Meanwhile, six foreign passengers injured in the accident are also recovering well. Among them, the Italian and Swiss tourists will be discharged Tuesday after they have fully recovered.

However, four British tourists are to remain in hospital following surgery on their legs broken bones.

Bangkok Airways flight PG266 hit an out-of-service air traffic control tower, converted into a fire station, killing a pilot and injured 41 passengers.

The aircraft, en route from Krabi to Samui airport in the popular resort island of Samui in Surat Thani, carried 68 passengers and four crew members. (TNA)

-- TNA 10/08/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11231

[Boo]

Good to hear they are all recovering. A miracle really that there were not more fatalities.

[smallprawn]

Good to hear they are all recovering. A miracle really that there were not more fatalities.

It must be a tough time physicaly and mentally for all those involved. I hope those recovering might be able to reflect as to how fortunate they have been to have survived such a tragic accident.

I have read ' Piolot error' sighted as a reason for this event but hope people might aslo understand, without the actions of this Pilot, many more may have lost their lives.

It wasnt so long ago an american pilot landed his aircraft on the water in New York saving the lives off all those on board. Actions that could only be discribed as mirclulous.

Maybe its not fair to compare these two events but , i my opinion, any Pilot that can land his aircraft under the circumstanes, deserves a medal. Its a shame he cant be with us to see how many lifes might have saved.

[churchill]

Teachers return home after plane crash

THREE TEACHERS who survived a plane crash in Thailand last week have returned to Ireland.

Sisters Aoife and Orlagh Creamer and friend Lesley Dowdall were passengers on Bangkok Airways flight PG266 from Krabi, southern Thailand, when it slid off a wet runway as it was landing at Koh Samui Airport on August 4th.

The island of Koh Samui is 480km south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand.

The aircraft struck a disused control tower and its pilot was killed. There were no other fatalities among the 68 passengers and three crew members, but four passengers were seriously injured in the accident.

The three teachers climbed through mangled wreckage and escaped with only cuts and bruises. They arrived in Dublin yesterday after taking four flights to get home. At the airport they were greeted by relieved family and friends in a VIP suite.

Orlagh Creamer (20), a DCU student teacher from Swords, said while she was scared flying home, she never feared for her safety.

“We figured we couldn’t be that unlucky again, we have been in one plane crash already, but it was scary,” she said.

Aoife Creamer (25), Rush, Co Dublin, said it was a relief to be home. “I couldn’t wait to come home, I’ve never been so glad to be back in Ireland.”

A teacher at St Brendan’s National School in Loughshinny, she plans to relax for the next few weeks before returning there in September.

Ms Dowdall (23), who works in St Finian’s Community College, Swords, will return to work tomorrow to offer her support to her Leaving Certificate students.

A friend, Áine Deasy (21), from Swords, had been travelling with the group but left Thailand before the crash after suffering a head injury in a fall.

The sisters’ mother Aileen, Aoife’s partner Stephen Hegarty, Orlagh’s boyfriend Anthony Fuller, Lesley’s parents Terry and Miriam and her boyfriend Anthony Power were among the large group who welcomed them home. – (PA)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/irelan...4252369847.html