A British boxer has been left in a coma after tumbling from a tuk-tuk and hitting his head on the road in Phuket, Thailand. Colin Cairney, 29, was discovered unconscious on the street outside The Nature Hotel in Phuket's Patong district in the early hours of Saturday 13 June.
Emergency services were alerted to an injured man lying near a pedestrian crossing on Phra Baramee Road at around 4:10 am. They found Cairney with serious head injuries and rushed him to Patong Hospital. He is now receiving treatment in intensive care at Vachira Phuket Hospital, as reported by NeedToKnow. Police are on the hunt for the tuk-tuk driver, who is alleged to have fled the scene.
CCTV footage and hotel security records reportedly revealed that Cairney had taken a red tuk-tuk from an entertainment venue back to his hotel. A supposed dispute broke out over the fare because he did not have any cash on him. The driver agreed to wait while Cairney went to withdraw money from a cash machine. However, CCTV footage apparently showed the tuk-tuk passing the hotel at around 4:02 am and heading back towards Patong without stopping to let off its passenger.
Police said Cairney fell from the back of the vehicle, his head making contact with the road. The driver did not stop to assist. Investigators stated that CCTV footage ruled out an assault and confirmed Cairney fell from the vehicle of his own accord. Police have reportedly taken blood samples for alcohol and drug testing, with results pending.
Pol. Lt. Col. Surachat Thongya, deputy superintendent at Patong Police Station, reportedly confirmed that officers have identified the owner of the tuk-tuk. The owner verified that the vehicle was his but stated it had been leased to another individual to use as a taxi. Detectives are now keen to get in touch with the lessee and summon the driver for questioning.
