19 hours ago
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An Austrian tourist has been charged in Thailand after a fatal jet ski accident was caught on video.
David Robert Herbst, 25, was reportedly riding a rented jet ski when he collided with 58-year-old Russian tourist, Kirill Golovachev, who was swimming in a designated area off Karon Beach.
Shocking footage captured the moment of impact, with Herbst’s jet ski clearly visible as it slams into Golovachev.
Instead of stopping to help, Herbst allegedly continued riding and later fled the scene, leaving the beach and traveling to a nearby island.
Tragically, Golovachev’s body was discovered by local fishermen several hours later, lodged among rocks.
While initial reports suggested drowning, police confirmed that the cause of death was the impact from the jet ski.
Video shows Herbst being eventually tracked down and arrested at his hotel on Koh Phi Phi island, a popular tourist destination.
He has been charged with negligence causing death and is currently in custody.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about safety regulations and reckless behaviour in Phuket’s increasingly crowded waters.
Local authorities are under pressure to crack down on rental operators and enforce stricter rules for jet ski use.
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