A British boxer has been left in a coma after he fell off a tuk-tuk and smashed his head on the road.
Colin Cairney, 29, was found unconscious on the road outside The Nature Hotel in Phuket’s Patong district in the early hours of Saturday 13 Jun.
Rescue workers were alerted to an injured man lying near a pedestrian crossing on Phra Baramee Road at around 4.10am.
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They discovered Cairney with severe head injuries and took him to Patong Hospital.
He is now being treated in intensive care at Vachira Phuket Hospital, as reported by Need To Know.
Police are searching for the tuk-tuk driver, who allegedly fled the scene.
CCTV footage and hotel security records reportedly showed Cairney had boarded a red tuk-tuk from an entertainment venue and returned to his hotel.
An alleged dispute arose over the fare because he had no cash.
The driver agreed to wait while Cairney went to withdraw money from an ATM.
However, reports state the CCTV later showed the tuk-tuk passing the hotel at around 4.02am and heading back towards Patong without stopping to drop off its passenger.
Police said Cairney fell from the rear of the vehicle, with his head striking the road.
The driver did not stop to help.
Investigators said CCTV footage ruled out an assault and confirmed Cairney fell from the vehicle on his own.
Police have reportedly collected blood samples for alcohol and drug testing, with results pending.
Pol. Lt. Col. Surachat Thongya, deputy superintendent at Patong Police Station, reportedly said officers have identified the owner of the tuk-tuk.
The owner confirmed the vehicle belonged to him but said it had been rented out to another person to operate as a taxi.
Investigators are now working to contact the renter and bring the driver in for questioning.
Police reportedly said that if Cairney’s condition deteriorates fatally, the driver could face charges of negligent driving causing death, as well as failure to stop and render assistance and failure to notify authorities.
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