An Australian tourist has been killed after falling while parasailing on the island of Phuket in Thailand.
Roger John Hussey, 71, who is a prominent Western Australian businessman, fell into the sea while parasailing off Kata beach. His wife Budsabong Thongsangka was filming at the time.
According to Fairfax, a video posted to Facebook just before his death showed him being strapped into safety gear before the flight, but that the straps between his legs were not properly fastened.
The video proceeds to show Hussey taking flight, before falling into the water as the parasail wing was still climbing into the air. This video was apparently posted after being handed over to police.
Beachgoers rushed to bring Hussey to shore after he hit the water, successfully bringing him out, but he had trouble breathing and died later in hospital.
Police have confirmed they are preparing charges against the parasailing company, and that a crew member was being interrogated. Both the boat operator and the staff member were arrested.
Suwisit Keereerak, Deputy Chief Inspector of Karon Police Station, confirmed what happened in a statement to media.
Roger John Hussey was on holiday with his Thai wife, she recorded him and we’re looking at the video to see how this happened.He was seriously injured in the water and died later. We’re still investigating what caused him to die, why he came loose from the parasail, and who is to blame.Roger had asked to go on the parasail while he was on the beach. He went up to a height of 70 metres.
We think he was unconscious in the sea when he fell and died later.
The 70 metres figure is unconfirmed – and seems extremely high for a parasail to go.
Hussey was based in Perth and was on the boards of a number of business and charity organisations, such as Landgate WA, WA Neuroscience Research Institute and the Bali Eye Foundation.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Photo: Facebook.
