CHON BURI: The Marine Department was questioning an Indian man said to be the driver of a jet ski involved in a collision with another jet ski, killing the driver and his seven-year-old passenger, at Pattaya beach early on Monday night.
The man left the scene after the fatal accident.
The jet ski crash was reported to police about 7pm. It occurred at the south end of Pattaya beach, near Walking Street.
Police said the dead boy’s grandparents had taken him to visit Pattaya. They hired a jet ski driver, at a cost of 500 baht, to take the boy for a ride to view the beauty of the beach from the water, Thai media reported. The crash occurred about 30 metres from the shore.
The Marine Department had earlier ordered that jet ski services halt at 6pm for fear of accidents, but some operators ignored the time limit, Thai News Agency reported.
Police were called to the beach, in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung disrict, about 7pm. Witnesses said two jet skis had collided. The driver of one machine and a boy riding pillion were thrown into the water by the impact.
The boy, Pathomporn Polrat, 7, was wearing a life jacket and was pulled from the water by jet ski operators. He was seriously injured, including a broken jaw, and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The jet ski driver, Pornsuphan Phumnok, 35, was found drowned, located by rescuers after a 30-minute search.
The witnesses said the driver of the other jet ski was of Indian appearance. He had walked away from the scene after the collision, and disappeared.
Police examined security camera recordings from the scene to establish the cause of the accident and identify the other driver.
The Marine Department confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that a Indian man was being questioned about the crash. Police investigators were liaising with the department.
Rescue workers give first aid to the injured boy after he was brought to the shore. The boy was pronounced dead at hospital at 10,10pm on Monday. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)