An Australian man on his honeymoon in Thailand has been killed in a four-wheel drive accident.
Another three people – two women and a child – have been admitted to hospital, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says.
The Phuket accident involving a partially open-top jeep occurred on Friday.
“Consular officials from the embassy in Bangkok have travelled to Phuket to provide assistance to Australians involved in a motor vehicle accident in Phuket,” the spokeswoman said.
“We understand that nine Australians were involved in the incident. One man has been killed, two women and one child have been admitted to hospital.
“The five remaining Australians involved were treated for minor injuries but were not admitted to hospital.
“The families of all Australians involved have been contacted by DFAT and some of the families are making plans to travel to Phuket as soon as possible.”
Sydney man Michael Malonzo, 26, was married only last Saturday, said an old school friend who did not want to be named. He was a nephew of popular hairdresser Bhajune Malonzo.
“I can honestly not say a mean thing about him,” she said on Saturday. “He was such a nice guy, really friendly and got along with everyone. “Awesome dancer and loved playing basketball. I’ve just spoken to some girls from high school and everyone is in shock. “It’s such a big loss. He really was an awesome guy.”
Rollover
The Phuket Wan website says the tour jeep rolled down a steep embankment and came to rest after injuring a young elephant tethered to a stake in an adventure park.
Sky News footage shows the vehicle on its roof after crashing off the Bhudda Road in southern Phuket.
Mr Malonzo’s 26-year-old wife Aimee, a dance teacher from Camden on Sydney’s south-western outskirts, is in hospital in Phuket in a satisfactory condition with a fractured pelvis, Phuket Wan reports.
She told the website that she believed the jeep’s driver missed a gear change or the gear slipped when taking a sharp left-hand bend on a steep descent.
“We had just been enjoying a ride on some elephants,” she said. “My parents are flying out from Australia and they will be here late tomorrow.” The website says among the injured are: Tori Giles, 14, his brother Tylar, 11, from Bridgetown in WA, and their mother, who suffered a broken arm.
The hospital named the injured as: Aimee Dykstra (Ms Malonzo’s maiden name), Nicole Wilmot, 24, Tylar Giles, 11, Tori Jay Giles, 14, Dannet Lea Roberts, 49, Sarah Louise Korver, 11, Margaret Korver, 41, Susan Rose McNelis, 16, Authai Choichana and the driver, Damrong Teamsamer, 35. All were in a satisfactory condition, Phuket Wan said.
The young elephant was treated for its injuries and said to be recovering, the site said. – ? AAP
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