Patong Police were notified of the man’s death by Patong Hospital staff at about 9:10pm. Investigating officer Pol Lt Chittawan Phengkaew, Deputy Inspector at Patong Police Station, was dispatched to the hospital, where he confirmed that the victim was a 47-year-old from London.
According to the initial report, the British man* was riding a motorbike along Patak Rd, south of Patong, when it collided with another motorbike ridden by a Chinese tourist at about 7:15pm.
The rescue team transported both injured riders to Patong Hospital. Mr Benjamin was later pronounced dead, while the Chinese man involved in the crash remains in critical condition.
Pol Lt Col Ekkasak Kwanwan of Karon Police said that Mr Benjamin had no passport or personal belongings with him at the time. “He only had his foreign driver’s licence on his person. He was travelling alone, and we have contacted the embassy, but no relatives have come forward yet,” he added.
Pol Lt Col Ekkasak also explained that preliminary hospital tests showed no alcohol in the systems of either rider.
Pol Lt Col Ekkasak said that police had yet to learn the full details of the accident.
Karon Police are now gathering additional evidence, he added.
“We are checking CCTV in the area and conducting further inquiries to establish what happened and identify any persons responsible,” Pol Lt Col Ekkasak said.
* The Phuket News is withholding the man’s name until it has been confirmed that his family have been notified.