Australian chief executive falls 70m to death in Thailand parasailing accident

'We think he was unconscious in the sea when he fell and died later'

An Australian pensioner has fallen 100 ft to his death in a parasailing accident in Phuket, Thailand.

Roger Hussey, a 70-year-old businessman, died at 2pm on Wednesday, moments into the activity on the 12th day of a holiday with his wife.

The incident was caught on video by partner Budsabong Thongsangka, who had travelled with him from Chiang Mai in the north of the country.

Tourists on Kata Beach watched alongside her in horror as he fell from a height of 70 metres.

Officers said he had “red marks" on his body when he was rushed to the local Patong Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Staff reportedly told police that Mr Hussey had accidentally unstrapped his harness before he fell to his death.

Both staff members, sailor Rungroj Rakscheep, 38, and boat captain Montien Chandeng, 45, were both arrested and charged with "recklessness leading to death".

Mr Hussey’s body was also sent for a post-mortem examination after it was unclear whether he had drowned or had been killed upon impact.

Lt Col Suwisit Keereerak, Deputy Chief Inspector of Karon Police Station, told the Metro that the accident is now being investigated.

“He was seriously injured in the water and died later. We’re still investigating what caused him to die, why he came loose from the parasail, and who is to blame,” he said.

“Roger had asked to go on the parasail while he was on the beach. He went up to a height of 70 metres.

“We think he was unconscious in the sea when he fell and died later.

“The operators have been charged with negligence and we’re checking their paperwork and credentials to operate the parasail and boat.

“They were responsible for checking the safety equipment.”

Mr Hussey was a prominent chief executive and director based in Perth, and had been appointed chairman of Australia’s biggest betting and gambling association, the TAB.

According to social media accounts, he had also completed a Master’s in PPE at Oxford University and written several business and management books after finishing law school in West Australia.