Phuket tourist mum dies, son seriously injured in motorbike accident

**dirtydog** · 28-10-2011, 02:54 PM

Phuket tourist mum dies, son seriously injured in motorbike accident

Phuket Kusoldharm rescue workers attend to Mrs Wittig and her son at the scene. Photo: Wichai Wittawat

PHUKET: A German tourist was killed and her son seriously injured in a motorbike accident on Wednesday about 100 meters ahead of her husband and the boy’s twin brother, who were on another motorbike.

Nicole Wittig, 47, was driving the motorbike at about 11pm on a road near the Laguna resort complex with her 17-year-old son, Mark, riding pillion when she crossed the center line and hit an oncoming Toyota Camry, said Cherng Talay Police Officer Boonlert Champa.

Mrs Wittig died while being transported to Thalang Hospital after suffering severe chest trauma in the accident, Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation workers said.

Mark remains unconscious in Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s Cardio-care Unit, a hospital official told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

At the time of the accident, the Wittigs were returning to their room at the Laguna Beach Resort after having dinner, explained Sen Sgt Maj Boonlert.

Mrs Wittig’s husband, Ruediger, was driving another motorbike with Mark’s twin brother, Tom, on board.

Mr Wittig said that he was too far behind his wife’s motorbike to see what happened, but he heard a “crash” and came upon the scene to find his wife and son lying unconscious and bleeding in the road with their smashed motorbike lying nearby, a reliable source told the Gazette.

It appears as though Mrs Wittig and Mark were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident, Sgt Boonlert said.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, Chalermpol Thavorn, 32, told police that when he reached a curve Mrs Wittig’s Yamaha Mio crossed the line and collided with his vehicle.

Police seized the car for further examination. Mr Chalermpol, a Phuket native, did not flee the scene, Sgt Boonlert said.

Police presume that Mrs Wittig’s unfamiliarity with the road and poor lighting were factors in the accident. Sgt Boonlert said that the lack of night-time visibility in the area has led to numerous accidents, adding that he would like to see lighting installed.

The Wittig family had checked into the resort only hours earlier after arriving from Khao Lak and were due to return to Germany tomorrow, a source said.

German Honorary Consul Dirk Nauman told the Gazette that he was aware of the accident but had yet to be contacted by police, as is customary in accidents involving foreign nationals.

Phuket NEWS: Phuket tourist mum dies, son seriously injured in mot

**ltnt** · 28-10-2011, 04:27 PM

One more suicide by Ferangs. Ride the motorbike and its almost a no brainer sooner or later there's going to be an accident with devastating results. " Tourists beware." signs ought to be attached to all motorbike rentals.

**lom** · 28-10-2011, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by ltnt

One more suicide by Ferangs. Ride the motorbike and its almost a no brainer sooner or later there's going to be an accident with devastating results. " Tourists beware." signs ought to be attached to all motorbike rentals.

Brains ought to be attached to all tourists.
If you don't ride motorbike in your home country then it is a very bad idea to start practising while touristing for a few weeks in Thailand.

**pickel** · 28-10-2011, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by lom

If you don't ride motorbike in your home country then it is a very bad idea to start practising while touristing for a few weeks in Thailand.

That's true. I used to rent motorbikes to tourists, and there were two kinds of people that had the most accidents. The complete beginner, and macho guys that have a "big bike" back home.

**Neo** · 28-10-2011, 04:40 PM

Phuket really has turned into a horror story for so many lately.

I'm glad the father and son didn't see the impact, it must be traumatic enough for them as it is. As to them riding motorbikes, they would not have needed to if tuk-tuks or taxis were a viable alternative.

**Chairman Mao** · 28-10-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Neo

As to them riding motorbikes, they would not have needed to if tuk-tuks or taxis were a viable alternative.

Perhaps they wanted to.

**ltnt** · 28-10-2011, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Perhaps they wanted to

Some people want the clap too.

**Chairman Mao** · 28-10-2011, 05:27 PM

If they didn't want to rent the motorbikes, they probably would have just rented a car.

**ltnt** · 28-10-2011, 05:40 PM

To cheap to rent a car. Tourists don't rent cars when they can rent a motorbike for 100 baht per day.

Like the man said they take their brains out when they arrive here.

**IceSpike** · 28-10-2011, 05:53 PM

Possibly the tourist's were mis-led, it is fun to ride a scooter on the beach roads in the Caribbean in first or second gear back to the Resort.
Not the same in Phuket, Hi-Speed unforgiving and dangerous.
Horror for the Family.
Add alcohol and confusion - left hand drive normal - right hand drive not-normal.

**ltnt** · 28-10-2011, 05:56 PM

One last night in Thailand and then fly home after a wonderful holiday. Upps, forgot, Don't rent that friggin motorbike. It'll kill ya!!! Epilog; and it did.

**Chairman Mao** · 28-10-2011, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by ltnt

To cheap to rent a car. Tourists don't rent cars when they can rent a motorbike for 100 baht per day.

Too, not to.

tbh, I doubt a European family of four holidaying in Thailand, staying at The Laguna Beach Resort would rent two 100b a day scooters just to save a bit of change unless they wanted to.

Either way, RIP. An absolute horrific end to a family holiday.

**BugginOut** · 29-10-2011, 01:33 AM

Condolences to their family and may the man's son recover very soon. Tragic news, indeed.

**Tickiteboo** · 29-10-2011, 04:27 AM

Another tragic story. Why oh why do people think they can control a bike just because they're on holiday, when they have no experience of bikes at home ( if indeed this lady had no experience - she may well have been qualified , we don't know ). Ideally one should have to hold the correct licence to rent any vehicle but TIT. Tragic for the family but also traumatic for the car driver who at least didn't do a runner.

**Mr Earl** · 29-10-2011, 06:21 AM

Horrible way to end your vacation; to become yet another tragic and deadly statistic of Phuket motorbike accidents.
On average around 300 people die every year in motorbike accidents in Phuket, that's out of over 12000 motorbike accidents a year.
That's about one a day.
I wonder how many tourists are aware of those daunting statistics?

**tuferguson** · 29-10-2011, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by pickel

Originally Posted by lom

If you don't ride motorbike in your home country then it is a very bad idea to start practising while touristing for a few weeks in Thailand.

That's true. I used to rent motorbikes to tourists, and there were two kinds of people that had the most accidents. The complete beginner, and macho guys that have a "big bike" back home.

i agree. i had never driven a bike before i went to los and the only time i tried to rent one was an utter disaster. i tried to ride it in a "garden" behind the shop in samui and i fell off. i scared myself so much i wouldnt even rent a scooter from her. i think the owner was actually glad i walked away!

even on the back of the moto taxis i had a couple of times i almost fell off and had a serious accident ( only one of which was my fault from being seriously pissed and falling off! ) strangely, it was only when i had a few drinks i had a motocy! i wonder why

**kmart** · 29-10-2011, 08:51 AM

Tragic for the rest of the family. People just let their guard down when they're on holiday, I've done it myself. Saved up some money and put the hours in at work, and think I'm entitled to be bulletproof for a fortnight.
RIP.

**LooseBowels** · 30-10-2011, 05:14 AM

One more in the hell hole.
Next please

**BigRed** · 30-10-2011, 05:29 AM

They probably read about all the Tuktuk ripoffs in Phuket on the internet and decided to hire bikes.

**chitown** · 30-10-2011, 06:25 AM

I am sure the husband was comforted by the Thai motorbike rental folk.

They probably teleported to the scene and demanded an ungodly amount of baht for the damaged bike.

**chitown** · 30-10-2011, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Mr Chalermpol, a Phuket native, did not flee the scene, Sgt Boonlert said.

There is a first time for everything!

**BKKBanger** · 31-10-2011, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by chitown

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Mr Chalermpol, a Phuket native, did not flee the scene, Sgt Boonlert said.

There is a first time for everything!

That in itself is very suspicious!!!!

The Mio is a great little bike, struggles 2 up to get past 70 kph and is automatic but should be a reasonably safe ride if you know how people drive in Thailand and keep out of their way.

A sad way to end a vacation.

sabaii sabaii · 31-10-2011, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by BigRed

They probably read about all the Tuktuk ripoffs in Phuket on the internet and decided to hire bikes.

Shame they didn't read about the number of deaths attributed to not wearing a crash helmet

It should be mandatory for renters of Bikes to issue a helmet, I'm sure most would wear it rather than carry it

R.I.P Nicole

**BKKBanger** · 31-10-2011, 12:33 PM

A lot of people would still prefer to ride without one. I personally insist on it, even when riding locally to the shops.

I also abhor the practice of letting young children stand on the seat and rest their hands on the bars. My child is banned from motorbikes.

**ENT** · 31-10-2011, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by BKKBanger

A lot of people would still prefer to ride without one. I personally insist on it, even when riding locally to the shops.

I also abhor the practice of letting young children stand on the seat and rest their hands on the bars. My child is banned from motorbikes.

Agreed entirely, you get a green.

RIP Nicole.

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