Dutch Biker Killed In Phuket Collision

[LivinginKata]

Dutch biker killed in Phuket collision

MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Dutchman Klaas Verbeek was killed and his Thai passenger seriously injured when the motorbike they were riding collided with a pickup truck driven by a policeman in Tah Chat Chai early yesterday evening.

Mr Verbeek, 53, was an annual visitor to Phuket for at least 15 years and was highly regarded in Phuket’s expat community.

His body is being held at Thalang Hospital.

His friend and compatriot Edwin Van Der Mosselaar said Mr Verbeek’s family in central Holland are aware of his passing and have hired a lawyer to ensure the investigation and repatriation of his remains runs smoothly.

Mr Van Der Mosselaar, who flew back to Phuket from Chaing Mai after hearing the news, said he would help Mr Verbeek’s family in Holland.

Mr Verbeek’s passenger, a Thai woman nicknamed ‘Pla’, is currently being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

She is thought to be in serious condition, though the extent of her injuries is not yet known.

Mr Van Der Mosselaar said Mr Verbeek was scheduled to have dental work done today.

He was a responsible man and never drove a motorbike after drinking alcohol, said Mr Van Der Mosselaar.

The crash occurred at about 5pm.

Tah Chat Chai Police said the pickup involved in the crash was driven by a former Tah Chat Chai police officer.

Dutch Embassy staff said they were aware of the tragedy but were still awaiting official notification as of 4pm today. – Gazette reporters

-- Phuket Gazette

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]2009-11-24

[LivinginKata]

RIP

[Mario2008]

Sad ending. Hope the passenger will recover.

[markg]

Sad ending. Hope the passenger will recover.

Me too. Always sad to hear of another biking death. RIP brother.

Also hope the Thai girl 'Pla' makes a full recovery. Anyone know anything about her? Is she a Phuket girl? Are her family and friends with her in the hospital? etc.

[LivinginKata]

Dutch crash victim's remains to be repatriated

The late Klaas Verbeek, who was an annual visitor to Phuket for at least 15 years. Photo courtesy of Edwin Van Der Mosselaar.

SAKHOO, PHUKET : The remains of Dutch national Klaas Verbeek, who was killed in a motorbike accident on Monday evening, will be repatriated to Holland over the weekend.

Pol Maj Rassada Kleongwong of Tha Chat Chai Police, identified the driver of the vehicle that collided with Mr Verbeek’s motorbike as Pol Sgt Maj Thavorn Tongkham, who is assigned to the Tah Chat Chai Police subdistrict in Sakhoo.

Sgt Maj Thavorn was off duty when the accident occurred, he said.

The accident occurred on a curved, downhill stretch of Naithon Rd in Ban Layan, Sakhoo Village 3, Thalang district.

Seriously injured in the accident was Mr Verbeek’s passenger, 40-year-old Mrs Kulchalee Tunsang.

Mrs Kulchalee suffered multiple injuries including several broken ribs and a broken finger.

She will require at least a month of in-patient treatment, staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital told the Gazette.

Mr Verbeek lost control of his motorbike and crossed the centerline of the road, making it impossible for Sgt Maj Thavorn to avoid the collision by braking, Maj Rassada said.

After the accident Sgt Maj Thavorn’s pickup hit a fence on the left hand side of the road and came to a stop, he said.

Sgt Maj Thavorn remained at the scene of the accident, he said.

Mr Verbeek’s remains were sent to Thalang Hospital.

The injured Mrs Kulchalee was also sent to Thalang Hospital for emergency treatment. She was later transferred to the better-equipped Vachira Phuket Hosptial in Phuket City.

Evidence from the accident scene, including damages to the pickup and skid marks, indicated that Mr Verbeek was at fault, Maj Rassada said.

“The case will be sent to the embassy and public prosecutor, but there will be no charges as the responsible party has passed away,” Pol Maj Rassada said.

Mr Verbeek’s friend and compatriot Edwin Van Der Mosselaar told the Gazette earlier that Mr Verbeek was a very responsible man who never operated a motorbike after drinking.

Mr Van Der Mosselaar, who flew back from Chiang Mai to help Mr Vervbeek’s family repatriate his remains, was too emotionally distraught over the loss this morning to comment further or discuss if any memorial services would be held in Phuket.

A source at the Dutch Embassy said Mr Verbeek’s family are working with Mr Van Der Mosselaar to repatriate his remains aboard an Air Berlin flight over the weekend.

Mr Verbeek’s insurance will cover the expense, the source said. – Sitthipong Nongkeaw and Stephen Michael Fein

-- Phuket Gazette

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]2009-11-27