Sightseeing sergeant dies after falling off passenger vehicle

Wallis Wang

A 48-year-old police sergeant died in a tragic accident while on holiday in Pattaya after he fell off a songthaew - a converted pickup truck for transporting passengers.

It is understood that the victim, Lam Chi-fai, was a sergeant at Cheung Sha Wan district and had been on a sightseeing trip with his family and was supposed to return home yesterday.

He fell from the vehicle after visiting a temple alone on Monday morning. According to Thai media reports, he lost consciousness and was certified dead after being sent to hospital.

Surveillance footage showed Lam trying to catch up with the vehicle after falling, grabbing the rear railing while running. But he fell to the ground again and hit his head on the road.

Emergency personnel conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene.

Local media reported that Lam shouted at the driver to stop to no avail.

The driver later turned himself in and has been charged with causing death by reckless driving.

He said he did not know someone had fallen off until he was told about the accident by the vehicle owner.

The driver said he was carrying seven to eight tourists who all alighted before he drove away.

Local police have contacted Lam's family, who said the body will be sent back to Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong police force said it was saddened by the accident and expressed condolences to Lam's family. The force added it will maintain close communication with the family and offer support.

The Immigration Department said it received a request for help from Lam's family and will offer assistance.

It said it learned about the accident from the Chinese embassy in Thailand via the commissioner's office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong.

Thai travel expert Roger Wu Wai-chung said the songthaew is the main form of public transport in Pattaya, with passengers sitting on two benches face-to-face.

"Passengers wishing to board can flag it down on the streets. They then get on the truck from the back and sit down. After reaching their destination, passengers can ring a bell to alight," Wu said.

He pointed out that there are no seat belts on a songthaew.

Wu reminded Hongkongers to be cautious when taking a songthaew and only get on the truck when it has fully stopped.

"Passengers should find a seat quickly and hold tightly in case the driver takes off before they are seated," he said.

Hongkongers should choose to get on trucks with fewer passengers or rent one for point-to-point transportation, Wu added.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com