Krabi police have pressed charges against the driver of a speedboat ferry that struck and severely injured two Russian divers in Koh Phi Phi's Maya Bay on Wednesday, as the victim whose leg was amputated was flown to Bangkok for further treatment.
Adisorn Denmamood, 27, was initially charged with careless driving causing injury, Pol Col Sompong Tiparpakul, chief of Muang Krabi police station said. Additional charges could be laid after further investigation.
Boonchao Tangsiripaisarn, director of Marine Office 5, Krabi Branch, said authorities had seized Mr Adisorn’s boat licence.
Diving instructor Dmitry Kurynhov, 48, and his student Sergei Dimitriev, 30, were each struck by the propellers of a twin-engined speedboat carrying about 30 tourists between Koh Phi Phi Lae and Koh Phi Phi Don on Wednesday.
Mr Dimitriev had his right leg cut off from the knee down, and all toes on his left foot were also severed in the accident.
The Russian embassy on Thursday sent a chartered flight with medical personnel on board to transport Mr Dimitriev from Bangkok Phuket Hospital to Vejthani Hospital in Bangkok for further treatment. He was reported to be in a critical condition.
Mr Kurynhov suffered three major lacerations and a fractured bone in his lower right leg. He remained in Krabi hospital.
Earlier media reports incorrectly stated it was the diving instructor whose leg was cut off, but did not give his name.
The incident occurred just a month after a 52-year-old French woman was hit and killed by a speedboat’s propellers while snorkeling at Koh Pada island in Krabi on Jan 5.