|
Russian boy becomes 7th death from
Pattaya ferry sinking
Teerarak Suthathiwong
A 12-year-old Russian boy became the seventh tourist to die in
the Nov. 3 ferry sinking off Koh Larn when he succumbed to injuries in a
Sriracha hospital.
Efimov Petr Sarcylana died of brain swelling and respiratory problems at
Samitivej Hospital Sriracha. Hospital staff said he never regained
consciousness after the accident that also killed three Thais, two Poles
and a Hong Kong national. Eleven remained hospitalized throughout the
area, including three in critical condition.
Chonburi tourism and sports Director Thanthip Meelaksana, Banglamung
District Chief Sakchai Taengho and Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh
paid their respect’s to the boy’s mother, Sosina, Nov. 7.
Thanthip said authorities have already settled on the amount of
compensation payouts to the foreign victims: Payments for each death
would total 300,000 baht while each injured person would receive 200,000
baht. The Thai victims’ compensation will be subject to further
negotiations.
No mention was made of the aggrieved victims being able to sue for
greater compensation in Pattaya’s much-touted “tourist court.”
Compensation of a few thousand dollars likely will only add insult to
injury for victims, as the accident occurred because the captain of the
ferry was high on drugs at the time, the boat was overcrowded by about a
third, and the boat operator failed to provide the required number of
life vests and safety gear.
Sarcylana said she was devastated by the loss, particularly because it
took so long for her son to receive any kind of first aid from rescuers.
He stopped breathing after taking water into his lungs and respiration
was not returned until it was too late.
|
|
 |
|
