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Two arrested in Phuket after French tourist killed by speedboat propeller

Two arrested in Phuket after French tourist killed by speedboat propeller

PHUKET: A French tourist was killed instantly during a snorkelling day trip off Poda Island, Krabi, today (Jan 5) when she was struck in the head by a speedboat propeller.

accidentsmarinetourismdeathpolice
By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 5 January 2016 06:57 PM


The captain fled to Phuket after his speedboat propeller struck and killed French tourist Sylvie Thietau. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The captain fled to Phuket after his speedboat propeller struck and killed French tourist Sylvie Thietau. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

“Sylie Thietau, 52, died instantly when the propeller of the speedboat So Cool 1, of the Amazing Canoeing Group Co Ltd, struck her head. She died at the scene,” said Col Sompong Tiparpakul, Chief of the Krabi Town Police.

Ms Thietau’s husband was on the day trip with her at the time of the incident, he added.

“The speedboat did not stop, but instead fled to Phuket,” said Col Sompong. “But Phuket Police and Marine Police tracked the boat to Ao Por (on Phuket’s east coast).”

At Ao Por, officers arrested Myanmar national Maling El, 26, a crewman on the the speedboat, Capt Suchart Luecha of the Thalang Police confirmed to The Phuket News.

“We also arrested the speedboat captain, Yothin Suebsak 30, of Nakhon Sri Thammarat,” he said.

The pair were taken to Thalang Police Station.

“We have to question them first before we can provide any details,” Chief Inspector Col Boonlert Onklang told The Phuket News.

“But they will be handed over to the Krabi Police for face further questioning,” he added.