British Boxer Critically Injured After Falling from Phuket Tuk Tuk, Driver Sought by Police

A British professional boxer remains in critical condition after reportedly falling from a tuk tuk in Phuket, while police continue efforts to locate the driver involved in the incident.

Colin Kearney, a well-known boxer from the United Kingdom, was found seriously injured on Phra Baramee Road in Patong during the early hours of June 14. Emergency responders and officers from Patong Police Station arrived at the scene and rushed him to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Investigators initially suspected that Kearney may have been the victim of an assault and abandoned on the roadside. However, footage obtained from a nearby CCTV camera later indicated that he had fallen from a moving tuk tuk. Police said the vehicle then left the scene without stopping to check on the passenger.

Further investigation revealed that Kearney had travelled to Phuket with family members and friends. Before the incident, he reportedly spent the evening at an entertainment venue and later hired a red tuk tuk to return to his accommodation at approximately 4am.

Hotel security staff told police that the tuk tuk first arrived at the property, but Kearney did not have enough cash to pay the fare. According to their account, he attempted to borrow money from hotel employees but was unsuccessful.

The boxer then reportedly asked the driver to take him to a nearby ATM so he could withdraw cash. Security guards later noticed what appeared to be the same tuk tuk driving past the hotel area without stopping. Shortly afterward, Kearney was discovered severely injured on the roadway.

Police said the British national suffered a serious head injury after striking the pavement and remains in critical condition at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Authorities noted that the driver could face legal action if investigators determine that reckless driving contributed to the incident or that the driver failed to provide assistance after the passenger was injured. Any charges will depend on the outcome of the investigation and the victim’s medical condition.

Police have already identified the registered owner of the tuk tuk. The owner told investigators that he was not behind the wheel at the time and had rented the vehicle to another driver.

Efforts are now underway to locate and question the driver as part of the ongoing investigation. The case has attracted significant attention both in Thailand and overseas due to Kearney’s profile in professional boxing and has sparked renewed discussion about passenger safety in Phuket’s public transport sector.