Russian deputy honorary consul for Phuket dies in car crash

Police were called to the scene, near the Wat Naka temple, at 2am.

They arrived to find rescue workers using hydraulic cutters to recover Mr Santi, unconscious and unresponsive, from his wrecked Mercedes-Benz, which had slammed into the back of a six-wheeled truck.

Mr Santi was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police suspect Mr Santi, 50, fell asleep while driving.

“His body was taken to Vachira Hospital for doctors there to confirm the cause of death,” said Lt Patcharee Wongboon of the Wichit Police.

“ Mr Santi was heading toward his home in Chalong. He probably fell asleep when he was about to make a left turn onto Chao Fa West Rd when his car struck the back of the truck,” she said.