New Zealand yachtsman dies in tragic accident

A New Zealander died on Friday after falling from his yacht and hitting his head on the vessel in Phuket's Tha Chalong district.

An examination of the body of Srichard Erngst Spraggs, 59 revealed injuries to the head but no traces of assault.

According to the initial police investigation, the victim, who owned LaZin Gara yacht, was a regular visitor to Tha Chalong Port and had been coming to the island for about six years.

The victim and a girlfriend were resting when a nearby vessel was caught up in a strong current and smacked into his yacht. He reportedly tried to push the vessel away but fell into the water.

Police said his head apparently hit the edge of the yacht.

People who saw the incident jumped into the water and retrieved him from the sea. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.