Cops have charged the captain of the speedboat that struck and severely injured two Russian divers in Koh Phi Phi’s Maya Bay.
Adisorn Benmamud, 27, has been charged with careless driving causing injury, said Muang Krabi Police Station police chief Pol Col Sompong Tiparpakul. Additional charges could be added if it is found the captain and the boat do not have proper licenses, he added.
Sergei Dmitriev, 30, and Dmitry Kuryanov, 48, were struck by the propeller of the speedboat Sunsan 2 when they resurfaced from their dive at Maya Bay at about 10:30am on Wednesday, said Nitiphat Mongkolpradit of the Krabi Tourist Rescue Center.
Mr Dimitriev’s right leg was nearly severed entirely by the speedboat propeller, while the toes on his left foot were also severed.
His right leg has been amputated and he was flown to Vejthani Hospital in Bangkok yesterday for further treatment. He is reportedly to remain in critical condition.
Mr Kuryanov suffered three major lacerations and a fractured bone in his right calf. He remains in Krabi hospital.
The speedboat captain told police that he had more than 30 passengers on board the Sunsan 2 yesterday and that when he came to the entrance to Nang Bay he felt that he had hit something so he reversed the boat.
He noticed the oxygen tank floating to the surface then saw blood and the two injured divers so contacted local officials for help.
He insisted that the area is the route that boats use to travel in and out of Maya Bay and that it is not usually an area where people swim, police said.
Story: The Phuket News
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Russian diver’s leg severed by speedboat propeller on Phi Phi diving trip
