A British boxer is currently in a coma after falling from a moving tuk-tuk during a disagreement over a taxi fare in Thailand. Colin Cairney, aged 29, sustained severe head injuries in the incident that occurred in Phuket’s Patong district early on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital and is now in intensive care. Authorities are working to locate the tuk-tuk driver, who reportedly fled the scene after Cairney was ejected from the vehicle.
According to investigators, Cairney was on his way back to his hotel after a night out when a dispute arose regarding payment for the ride. It is believed that Cairney did not have cash on hand, leading to arrangements for him to withdraw money from an ATM nearby.
Security footage captured the tuk-tuk passing The Nature Hotel around 4 am without stopping. Subsequently, the vehicle was observed returning towards Patong. Law enforcement officials stated that Cairney, hailing from Stirling, central Scotland, fell off the tuk-tuk and suffered a critical head injury upon impact with the road. CCTV footage analysis indicated that there was no physical assault involved, suggesting that Cairney fell accidentally.
Emergency services responded to a report of a man injured near a pedestrian crossing on Phra Baramee Road at approximately 4:10 am. Cairney was initially taken to Patong Hospital and later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for specialized medical care.
Tests for alcohol and drugs have been conducted, but the results have not been disclosed yet. The registered owner of the tuk-tuk has been identified by the police. The owner informed authorities that the vehicle had been rented out to another individual who was operating it as a taxi. Efforts are underway to locate this driver for interrogation.
In the event of Cairney’s condition deteriorating and resulting in fatality, the driver may face charges such as negligent driving causing death, failure to stop and aid an injured person, and failure to report the incident to the authorities.