A HAMPSHIRE woman is in hospital after her leg was struck by a boat propeller while on holiday in Thailand.
Alice Louise Davies, from Romsey, sustained severe leg injuries while she was taking part in a diving course in Koh Tao.
The 20-year old is said to be in a stable condition after the horrific incident which left her with two broken bones, severe lacerations and blood loss.
She was hit while coming to the surface along with other tourists learning to dive with Scuba Shack.
Alice was rescued from the water and taken to a dock, where she was taken to a hospital for treatment by speedboat.
She is now recovering at the Thai International Hospital on Koh Samui.
Koh Tao police investigator Lt Col Napa Saenathip identified the boat that hit her as the Thaniya Namchoke and the driver as Boonrod Klubnark.
He quoted Mr Boonrod as saying the accident occurred when he was backing his boat. The propeller first hit underwater rocks and when he backed again the propeller blades struck the tourist in the leg.
He added: “The propeller broke both of the bones in her lower right leg, but the leg was not severed. She was in surgery for many hours, but it went well and she is now stable,” he said.
“We are waiting for an official report from the hospital before we press any charges.”
In response to the incident Koh Tao authorities are vowing to inspect boat companies and diving instructors to make sure they are meeting safety regulations and possess proper licences, he said.
Col Napa urged tourists to only do business with properly-licensed companies.
He added: “That way, if unexpected incidents happen, the instructors can rescue you and solve the problems in time.”
Koh Tao, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular diving spot for foreign tourists.
In September 2014, two British tourists – Hannah Witheridge and David Miller – were found murdered on Sairee Beach on the same island. Witheridge was also raped, according to police.
Two Burmese migrant workers have been arrested, and accused of killing the two and raping Witheridge.
The two suspects are being held at a prison to await trial. They have denied the allegation.
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