Roger John Hussey death: Five fast facts about the 71-year old Australian tourist who died while parasailing in Phuket, Thailand
Australian businessman Roger John Hussey, 71, died while parasailing in Phuket, Thailand on Wednesday, July 12. Sadly, his wife Budsabong Thongsangka filmed the tragic accident. Read on to learn more about Mr Hussey's death.
Five fast facts about the 71-year-old Australian tourist who died while parasailing in Phuket, Thailand
1. Hussey reportedly plunged to his death in Kata Beach after lifting off to parasail because of a harness malfunction.
Hussey accidentally pulled a hook that released his harness, according to local media. News.com.au reports that the Perth businessman fell in the sea after 13 seconds of lifting off. Karon Police Station duty officer Police Lieutenant Suwisit Khirirak told the media that Hussey died shortly after he was pulled from the sea. The boat operator and driver Monthian Jandaeng have been charged by the Thai police of reckless driving causing death.
2. His cause of death is still being determined.
It is still unclear whether Hussey died due to drowning or the impact of the fall. His body has already been sent to the coroner to determine the cause of death, The Australian reports.
3. His wife Budsabong Thongsangka caught the accident on camera.
Hussey was spending his vacation with wife Budsabong Thongsangka. Before going to Phuket, they have already travelled to Chiang Mai. Thongsangka was filming him and caught the accident on video. The couple was scheduled to go back to Australia on Friday, July 14.
4. He was a respected and prominent businessman.
Mr Hussey helped establish Century Holdings Ltd. He also worked as a consultant and senior director at KPMG Consulting. He was also the deputy chair at Landgate WA. Then he joined the board in October 2012.
5. Hussey studied at prestigious schools and was a board member of various foundations and institutes.
He studied at Oxford University, the University of Western Australia (WA) and Stanford University. Aside from this, he was also part of the board at the Southern Ports Authority, John Fawcett Foundation, WA Neuroscience Research Institute, the Bali Eye Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and the PMH Child Health Research Institute.
The tragic parasailing accident on Wednesday in Thailand follows a jet ski accident in February which caused the death of 20-year-old Emily Collie. She was with her boyfriend Tom Keating, 22, when their jet skis collided in Phuket. Despite being considered an accident, Keating was charged with careless driving causing death at a police station in Phuket.
"I respect the country of Thailand and the Thai people," The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reports Keating as saying. "This was a tragic accident. However, I take responsibility for what happened. And I have decided that the best thing is to accept a charge of careless driving leading to death."
In case you missed it (ICYMI), read this:
- MOST READ
