Undefeated Scottish Boxer Dies After Phuket Tuk-Tuk Accident

A young Scottish professional boxer has died after suffering a severe head injury in a tuk-tuk accident in Phuket while on holiday in Thailand.

Twenty-two-year-old Colin Cairney, an undefeated welterweight from Stirling, was injured in the early hours of June 14 after reportedly falling from the back of a tuk-tuk while returning to his hotel. He was initially taken to Patong Hospital before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital due to the seriousness of his condition. Despite doctors' efforts, he later passed away.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed the death, stating that it is providing assistance to the athlete’s family during this difficult time.

According to preliminary reports, the incident may have followed a disagreement over the taxi fare. It has been reported that the driver was taking Cairney to an ATM so he could withdraw cash to pay for the ride. Thai police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Cairney’s boxing club, Team 1314 in Stirling, announced his passing in an emotional message shared through a fundraising page originally created to help cover his medical expenses. The club described him as more than a teammate, calling him a valued member of their family whose memory would remain with everyone who knew him.

Following the accident, two fundraising campaigns were launched. The first, organized by his relatives to support medical treatment in Thailand, collected more than £33,000. A second fundraiser created by Team 1314 had raised over £60,000 by the time the news of his death was announced.

During his professional career, Cairney built an impressive record of 10 victories without a defeat, including six wins by knockout. In 2025, he captured the WBO International Youth Welterweight title. Before turning professional, he represented Scotland at major international amateur tournaments, including the European Junior Championships and the World Youth Championships. He also claimed the Scottish Elite Light-Welterweight title in 2022.

Tributes have poured in from across the boxing community. Boxing Scotland described itself as deeply saddened by the loss, highlighting Cairney’s achievements at the highest amateur level. Kynoch Boxing Scotland remembered him as one of the gym’s brightest talents and a respected gentleman with enormous potential. Stirling High School, where he studied, also paid tribute, describing him as a much-loved former student whose future had been full of promise.