A 17-year-old Russian tourist sustained leg injuries after being hit by a speedboat propeller while she was swimming outside the designated area at Patong beach on Saturday.

Police and rescue workers rushed to the beach near the Sea Pearl circle on Thaweewong Road at about 10.30am on Saturday.

When they arrived, lifeguards were helping the tourist, identified later as Daria, 17, who had wounds on her upper right leg and her right foot. She was given first aid before being sent to hospital.

Lifeguards on Patong beach told police that the girl was swimming and accidentally dived under the buoys that are used to mark zones for swimming. Shortly afterward she was hit by the propeller of a speedboat that was driving in the area.

Police were arranging for an interpreter to help the tourist answer questions. They will also call the speedboat driver for questioning.