Australian tourist dies in Patong motorcycle crash

[webfact]

Australian tourist dies in Patong motorcycle crash
Phuket Gazette


Patong Hospital determined the man’s identity by contacting the company he rented his motorcycle from. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- An male Australian tourist died this morning at Vachira Phuket Hospital after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a power pole in Patong.

Patong Police and Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation Worker were notified of an accident near Patong Municipality Office on Ratchapathanuson Road (map here) at about 5:30am.

“When we arrived we found a man in his 30s, unconscious, with a severe head injury,” said Lt Col Chaowalit Neamwadee of Patong Police.

“We did not smell any alcohol on him, so we doubt the accident was alcohol-related,” Col Chaowalit said.

The Australian was swiftly taken to Patong Hospital, but his injuries were so severe he was transferred to Vachira Hospital in Phuket Town at about 7am, he said.

Vachira staff confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that the man was pronounced dead at 8:52am.

Patong Hospital staff were able to determine the man's identity by contacting the company that had rented him his motorcycle. The Gazette is withholding his name until his family has been notified.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Australian-tourist-dies-in-Patong-motorcycle-crash-22159.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-03

[dudu]

I don't know,but sounds like no helmut, shame, RIP, when i first came to Thailand, i was 10 feet tall and bulletproof, did all the first timers stupid things one does in such a fantasy land, after a few years,reality catches up and you think shit, lucky i'm still around, as for tourists, they get that wild feeling for a short time and go back to their real lives, others like in this case, go home in a box.

[LivinginKata]

I don't know,but sounds like no helmut, shame, RIP, when i first came to Thailand, i was 10 feet tall and bulletproof, did all the first timers stupid things one does in such a fantasy land, after a few years,reality catches up and you think shit, lucky i'm still around, as for tourists, they get that wild feeling for a short time and go back to their real lives, others like in this case, go home in a box.

Yes, RIP this man. I remember when I first settled in Phuket my idea was to buy a big bike. After less than a year I had a big crash and I immediately got rid of the big bike. Reality did catch up. Still drove a Honda Dream for years. Then about 5 years ago I completely stopped driving a m/bike. Car only for me these days.

[Paangjang]

Did they have to include all that blood in the picture? Hope his family don't this picture, although at some stage i imagine they will. R.I.P Sir

[HyperRai]

Got my accident in Thailand after I bought a big bike in 2008. Break my lower jaw and wrist but never give up riding, it`s just too nice.

[Lite Beer]

Two Australian tourists die in Phuket

PHUKET: Two Australian tourists died in Patong in the early hours of today
Eakkapop Thongtub

The first was Tracey Ann Walton, 51, who collapsed and died in her room at the Patong Beach Resort at about 2:10 am.

A friend travelling with her told police that Ms Walton suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Her body was taken to Patong Hospital to confirm the cause of death.

At about 5am Tristan Theridan, 35, apparently lost control of his rented Honda Zoomer X motorcycle and hit a power pole on Ratchapratanusorn Rd near the Patong Municipality Offices.

Rescue volunteers, called to the scene by a passer-by, found Mr Theridan lying in a pool of blood with severe head injuries, but still alive.

He was taken first to Patong Hospital and then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/two-australian-tourists-die-in-phuket-41721.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-09-03

UPDATE:
Australian tourist dies after severe asthma attack invokes seizure
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A 51-year-old Australian woman found dead in her Phuket hotel room on Tuesday morning reportedly died after suffering a seizure brought on by a severe asthma attack, police have told the Phuket Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665461-australian-tourist-dies-in-patong-motorcycle-crash/page-2?p=6792393#entry6792393

[chiang mai]

One suspects that Patong hospital as the first port of call didn't help.

[JetsetBkk]

Yes, RIP this man. I remember when I first settled in Phuket my idea was to buy a big bike. After less than a year I had a big crash and I immediately got rid of the big bike. Reality did catch up. Still drove a Honda Dream for years. Then about 5 years ago I completely stopped driving a m/bike. Car only for me these days.

RIP Aussie feller.

I have a bike. I took the battery out about a year ago to charge it. Haven't put it back or used the bike since.

[lee b]

poor guys. RIP to them both

[harrycallahan]

RIP, pray that he had health insurance.

[chingching]

I had a Honda CBX, 6 cylinder. It was one of the last bikes I owned, Each time I got a new bike, I'd tell myself, I'm more responsible now, and I'll drive safely, but once you hit the open high-way, it's way too tempting to throttle up. Now , much older, when I am feeling like having a big adventure, I skip flossing my teeth for a day. Really gets the adrenaline going.

[grumpyoldman]

Firstly - RIP to the Australian fellow and condolences to the family.

That being said, it's a daily occurrence for me to see complete knuckleheads riding recklessly WITH NO HELMET ON ! Foreigners and Thais alike.

Yesterday on my way to Nai Harn beach such a lunatic was trying to pass a whole lot of traffic when someone went to make a right turn and here he is passing as a bus appears coming the other way. He swerves to miss the right turner and just about gets waxed by the bus.

Put a helmet on, lay off the throttle unless it's getting you into open space, and usually things will be fine.

[eezergood]

Everytime I think about buying a new bike a story like this reminds me why I dont!

RIP fella, feel sorry for the family

[unanimosity]

One suspects that Patong hospital as the first port of call didn't help.

Exactly right....

"The Australian was swiftly taken to Patong Hospital,..."

Which suggests ineptitude by the scoop and run pickup boys,

but it took an 90 minutes before the hospital decided to move him to a better facility.

What was going on during that 90 minutes? "It's a farang, better check on him when

you finish reading the paper."

It brings to mind that Thais will not hurry. They will walk even when a bus has courteously

waited for them. A group of guys at a store that was on fire were walking to load goods and

furnishings in trucks despite the encroaching flames. A car lets a pedestrian cross in front of

them and the pedestrian strolls with disregard for the courtesy. Is there even a word for

courtesy in Thai, or emergency?

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

I don't know,but sounds like no helmut,

Correct. He was Australian, not Austrian.

[unanimosity]

Firstly - RIP to the Australian fellow and condolences to the family.

That being said, it's a daily occurrence for me to see complete knuckleheads riding recklessly WITH NO HELMET ON ! Foreigners and Thais alike.

Yesterday on my way to Nai Harn beach such a lunatic was trying to pass a whole lot of traffic when someone went to make a right turn and here he is passing as a bus appears coming the other way. He swerves to miss the right turner and just about gets waxed by the bus.

Put a helmet on, lay off the throttle unless it's getting you into open space, and usually things will be fine.

Ride erratically, wobbly, on the virge of being mau and out of control and they will give you space. They don't want their vehicles dinged up. But incessantly have an escape plan.

[MK1]

Eventually some charitable organization will donate a ‘Lucas Automatic CPR machine’ to Patong Hospital to aid in the life saving transfer of patients to Hospitals like Vacihira and then we might see some survive from these tragic traumatic incidents and accidents. Unfortunately, before that happens many will die as consequence in the meantime sorry to say …. http://www.lucas-cpr.com/en/lucas_cpr/lucas_cpr

[moe666]

Riding a bike is as safe as the rider, do not ride drunk, wear a helmet, wear shoes, and wear safety gear on long rides. Riding a bike only takes a bit of common sense which it seems many are devoid of. Best wishes to the family in there time of loss.

[chiang mai]

Eventually some charitable organization will donate a ‘Lucas Automatic CPR machine’ to Patong Hospital to aid in the life saving transfer of patients to Hospitals like Vacihira and then we might see some survive from these tragic traumatic incidents and accidents. Unfortunately, before that happens many will die as consequence in the meantime sorry to say …. http://www.lucas-cpr.com/en/lucas_cpr/lucas_cpr

An Australian couple donated several such devices following the death of their son, the devices went missing soon afterwards.

[andreandre]

Riding a bike is as safe as the rider, do not ride drunk, wear a helmet, wear shoes, and wear safety gear on long rides. Riding a bike only takes a bit of common sense which it seems many are devoid of. Best wishes to the family in there time of loss.

I agree with the 'safe as the rider' part, but you and many others seem to promote this idea of dressing up more safety wise on long rides .Why?

If you feel that this is beneficial for long rides, why not for all rides?

An accident is more likely to happen on a short ride, mainly because most people do do short rides and,more frequently so you are at risk more often.

Most people are also very much more complacent when, just nipping down to 7/11 or off visiting nearby friends...this complacency leads directly to being likely to having an accident.

RIP to the young Aussie...

[Maggusoil]

In Australia we used to call all motorbike riders, temporary Australians.

Another major casualty statistic comes from the fine bone specialists in hospitals, from bikers wearing thongs.

Last time I put a bike down in Bali, last year, was a combination of the sudden appearance of

another bike in front of me from a side street and sand on the road. All perfectly normal.

Wearing thongs, I was lucky.

Head on contact with a telegraph pole the only day I had worn a helmet in two years in the days

we could get medical exemptions from wearing them, was another life challenging

moment. You can't be too careful on a bike, but I've had a friend who has lived in Bali and Phuket

for 30 years and always ridden bikes and never had an accident!

Who can figure it?

[MaxYakov]

Warning: Graphic Images: http://farangdeath.tumblr.com/

[robblok]

Riding a bike is as safe as the rider, do not ride drunk, wear a helmet, wear shoes, and wear safety gear on long rides. Riding a bike only takes a bit of common sense which it seems many are devoid of. Best wishes to the family in there time of loss.

I agree with the 'safe as the rider' part, but you and many others seem to promote this idea of dressing up more safety wise on long rides .Why?

If you feel that this is beneficial for long rides, why not for all rides?

An accident is more likely to happen on a short ride, mainly because most people do do short rides and,more frequently so you are at risk more often.

Most people are also very much more complacent when, just nipping down to 7/11 or off visiting nearby friends...this complacency leads directly to being likely to having an accident.

RIP to the young Aussie...

Helmet goes on always.. other safety things only on the long rides.. why ease of use plus if your going 3 to 5 km from home you take the bike because of ease. Its a choice, but I doubt there are many bikers that go for the full safety jacket on the short 3 to 5 km rides. I however never ride without a helmet.

Got a big bike and a scooter.. love both but the big bike is safer. Yes it can go faster.. but the torque means you can get out of trouble. Its brakes are better too.. more sound better visible. I get a lot more respect in traffic on the big bike then on the small one.

[andreandre]

Riding a bike is as safe as the rider, do not ride drunk, wear a helmet, wear shoes, and wear safety gear on long rides. Riding a bike only takes a bit of common sense which it seems many are devoid of. Best wishes to the family in there time of loss.

I agree with the 'safe as the rider' part, but you and many others seem to promote this idea of dressing up more safety wise on long rides .Why?

If you feel that this is beneficial for long rides, why not for all rides?

An accident is more likely to happen on a short ride, mainly because most people do do short rides and,more frequently so you are at risk more often.

Most people are also very much more complacent when, just nipping down to 7/11 or off visiting nearby friends...this complacency leads directly to being likely to having an accident.

RIP to the young Aussie...

Helmet goes on always.. other safety things only on the long rides.. why ease of use plus if your going 3 to 5 km from home you take the bike because of ease. Its a choice, but I doubt there are many bikers that go for the full safety jacket on the short 3 to 5 km rides. I however never ride without a helmet.

Got a big bike and a scooter.. love both but the big bike is safer. Yes it can go faster.. but the torque means you can get out of trouble. Its brakes are better too.. more sound better visible. I get a lot more respect in traffic on the big bike then on the small one.

Agree ,its a choice and its easy..but as i said you are more likely to have an accident near home the numbers are simply against you.

So for the fact that its easy to not dress safely for a short journey overrides logic does it not? Thats human nature i guess.

As you say , its a choice and i also choose not to dress safely [whatever that entails] but for me it makes no difference if its for a long ride or a short ride.

Edited September 4, 2013 by andreandre

[stevenl]

One suspects that Patong hospital as the first port of call didn't help.

Exactly right....

"The Australian was swiftly taken to Patong Hospital,..."

Which suggests ineptitude by the scoop and run pickup boys,

but it took an 90 minutes before the hospital decided to move him to a better facility.

What was going on during that 90 minutes? "It's a farang, better check on him when

you finish reading the paper."

It brings to mind that Thais will not hurry. They will walk even when a bus has courteously

waited for them. A group of guys at a store that was on fire were walking to load goods and

furnishings in trucks despite the encroaching flames. A car lets a pedestrian cross in front of

them and the pedestrian strolls with disregard for the courtesy. Is there even a word for

courtesy in Thai, or emergency?

Ludicrous post.

[Frank James]

The mass market helmets commonly available in Thailand are...better than nothing, but that's about it. Cheap junk. Especially laughable is the one branded "Snell". Snell is a rigorous safety standard that none of these junk buckets could hope to pass.

It seems that the bike rental places will rent to anybody, whether or not they know the first thing about piloting a motorcycle. Even if you know how, a tourist fresh in from the West is completely unprepared for the crazy antics of Thailand drivers, be they motorbikes, cars, trucks or buses. It's a dance of death out there.

RIP the young man, and to all the others who this very day will crash their bikes.

[DekDaeng]

Now , much older, when I am feeling like having a big adventure, I skip flossing my teeth for a day. Really gets the adrenaline going.

Set your alarm clock, make your will, pick your box.

[chiang mai]

One suspects that Patong hospital as the first port of call didn't help.

Exactly right....

"The Australian was swiftly taken to Patong Hospital,..."

Which suggests ineptitude by the scoop and run pickup boys,

but it took an 90 minutes before the hospital decided to move him to a better facility.

What was going on during that 90 minutes? "It's a farang, better check on him when

you finish reading the paper."

It brings to mind that Thais will not hurry. They will walk even when a bus has courteously

waited for them. A group of guys at a store that was on fire were walking to load goods and

furnishings in trucks despite the encroaching flames. A car lets a pedestrian cross in front of

them and the pedestrian strolls with disregard for the courtesy. Is there even a word for

courtesy in Thai, or emergency?

Ludicrous post.

It's much simpler than that, Patong Hospital doesn't have a duty doctor on staff, the telephone in the emergency room atests to that!

[stevenl]

One suspects that Patong hospital as the first port of call didn't help.

Exactly right....

"The Australian was swiftly taken to Patong Hospital,..."

Which suggests ineptitude by the scoop and run pickup boys,

but it took an 90 minutes before the hospital decided to move him to a better facility.

What was going on during that 90 minutes? "It's a farang, better check on him when

you finish reading the paper."

It brings to mind that Thais will not hurry. They will walk even when a bus has courteously

waited for them. A group of guys at a store that was on fire were walking to load goods and

furnishings in trucks despite the encroaching flames. A car lets a pedestrian cross in front of

them and the pedestrian strolls with disregard for the courtesy. Is there even a word for

courtesy in Thai, or emergency?

Ludicrous post.

It's much simpler than that, Patong Hospital doesn't have a duty doctor on staff, the telephone in the emergency room atests to that!

So? The sneer to the people working at Patong Hospital in the post I commented on is totally undeserved and outright racist. They do what they can to help people, sometimes with limited means, and as a thank you get 'they leave you laying there to die because they are reading the paper'.

As I said, a totally undeserved and ridiculous comment.

Edited September 4, 2013 by stevenl

[JSixpack]

Everytime I think about buying a new bike a story like this reminds me why I dont!

Good. The fewer farang on the roads, the safer they'll be.

it took an 90 minutes before the hospital decided to move him to a better facility.

What was going on during that 90 minutes? "It's a farang, better check on him when

you finish reading the paper."

It brings to mind that Thais will not hurry. They will walk even when a bus has courteously

waited for them.

Another member of the silly Farang-As-Victim brigade. Poor persecuted farang!

Walking to bus is totally different and inapplicable to conduct in an emergency room. Besides, hang out in a Western hospital emergency room sometime: note all those people sitting around bleeding as they wait. I know of a lady who had her miscarriage while waiting in the emergency room.

If a rider has left half his brains on a pole, there's just nothing much anybody can do. Maybe they were transferring him to an ICU where his body could vegetate on ventilator for a while.

Ride erratically, wobbly, on the virge of being mau and out of control and they will give you space. They don't want their vehicles dinged up. But incessantly have an escape plan.

I guess we're forced to conclude poles are rather different. They merely lie in wait for those who ride erratically, wobbly, on the virge of being mau and out of control. And then they stubbornly refuse to give any space other than what's on either side already. And why isn't that enough space? Maybe we should all keep this mind about poles. Now, the escape plan is rather obvious here--turn left or right; but one must be prepared to take it, no?

It seems that the bike rental places will rent to anybody, whether or not they know the first thing about piloting a motorcycle.

Why not? What--are the renters supposed to require a driver's training course first? What farang would bother taking it rather than lie like a dog about his safe driving skills.

Those who rent bikes are adults and can make their own decisions. They know the risks and accept them. Live free and die hard, eh.

No nannying, please. Let Social Darwinism run its course. RIP, Ozzie.