Driver charged after Hong Kong police sergeant falls off open-air van, dies in Thailand
- Driver charged with causing death by reckless driving claimed he was unaware of the incident until he saw the news, police say
According to surveillance footage obtained by local media, the Hongkonger was seen tumbling from the back of the taxi van onto the road in South Pattaya district at 8.36am on Monday.
Tourist police in Pattaya later in the day said the driver had surrendered, but added he claimed he was unaware the sergeant had fallen until he saw the news and was informed by the owner of the vehicle.
“The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident has been taken in for questioning,” a police spokesman said in a social media post.
“The wife of the deceased wishes to take the body to Hong Kong to carry out a religious ceremony. Pattaya tourist police will contact the Chinese embassy to coordinate the pickup of the body.”
He added that the force would meet with songthaew operators to prevent such accidents in the future.
The man, surnamed Lam, said to be aged 48 and from Hong Kong, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was certified dead, according to local media.
