British Tourist Dies In Late-Night Road Crash

[LivinginKata]

British tourist dies in late-night road crash

PHUKET: British tourist John Stephen Smout, 49, died in a road accident near the Rawai beachfront early Monday morning when his motorbike ran into the path of a pick-up being driven by an island resident also on his way home.

According to the police report, Mr Smout refused offers by people at a nearby bar to give him a lift home, choosing instead to ride his motorbike.

Chalong Police received a call reporting the accident at about 3 am, according to the police report detailing the crash.

Mr Smout was apparently riding toward Rawai Beach, but along the right-hand side of the road against the flow of traffic.

The collision occurred near the Rawai Public Health Clinic on Wiset Road.

Michael Downard, the driver of the pick-up, told the Phuket Gazette, “It all happened so quick. He just came across the lanes at 45 degrees straight at me. There was nothing I could do.”

“There were three ladies behind me who saw it. They came to the police station to confirm it with the police,” he added.

“It’s difficult to come to grips with… It’s so sad to see someone end their life with just one bad night,” he said.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-04-27