Dozens injured in Thailand tourist hot spot after speedboat slams into concrete post
Police are investigating whether the boat's captain fell asleep
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Dozens of people were injured when a speedboat full of tourists crashed into a concrete post off the coast of Thailand in a popular resort area on Wednesday.
At least 36 people were injured when the speedboat full of 39 travelers from Russia, Kazakhstan and China slammed into a channel marker less than a mile offshore in Phuket’s Chalong Bay, Bangkok Post reported.
Officials say it’s possible that the boat’s captain fell asleep shortly before the crash.
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The vessel, named Thanathip Marine 555, was reportedly returning to the popular tourist destination of Phuket from the Phi Phi Islands when the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m.
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At least 36 people were injured when a speedboat crashed into a mile marker in Thailand on Wednesday. (Viral Press)
Thai Coast Guard members pulled wounded tourists to safety and rushed them to nearby hospitals.
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Police are investigating claims that the boat's captain dozed off before the crash and are awaiting test results on his blood-alcohol level.
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Thai Coast Guard members help injured passengers off the crashed speedboat. (Viral Press)
"I don't know how the crash happened," a Thai passenger said, according to Viral Press. "The boat was driving normally, and suddenly there was a loud noise that jolted us."
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Of the injured, six people are said to have suffered severe injuries including broken bones, 16 had "moderate" injuries and 15 had "minor" injuries.
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The boat crash took place in the popular tourist region of Phuket. (Viral Press)
"The injured passengers were 21 Russians, nine Kazakhs, a Hong Kong citizen, a Chinese tourist, a Ukrainian and four Thai locals," Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew said.