PHUKET: An Australian tourist fell to his death when the coupling on his parasailing chute apparently failed at Kata beach yesterday.
This still, taken from a video clip, shows Australian Roger Hussey falling from his parasail into the sea in Phuket.
The tragedy occurred around noon in full view of his Thai wife, Budsabong Thongsangka, who was videoing the flight.
Roger John Hussey, 71, rose high into the air and then fell, tumbling into the sea, shortly after the tow boat took off from the shore.
One of the beach crew was seen being pulled up into the air with him while still adjusting the coupling, and then climbing up into the clouds, before Hussy fell free.
Volunteers at the beach rushed to bring him to shore. He developed breathing problems and was later pronounced dead, said Pol Lt Suwisit Khirirak, a duty-officer at Karon police station. The accident was not reported to police until about 3pm.
Police pressed charges of reckless driving causing death against boat operator and driver Monthian Jandaeng. Another member of the crew, Runroj Rakcheep, was being questioned.
The couple had been holidaying in Chiang Mai before visiting Phuket and were due to return to Australia tomorrow.