Thailand: British tourist, 66, killed in high speed motorcycle crash on first day of holiday visiting long-distance partner

Nigel Melvin Garrad, 66, from Woking, Surrey, had recently arrived in the south-east Asian country to visit his long-distance Thai partner and friends in Chonburi province. He went on a motorcycle ride with some pals to celebrate his arrival, but crashed into a traffic sign while turning at a U-turn slot near a bridge on the night of October 5.

The impact was said to have flung the Brit from his seat and shattered his two-wheeler. Photos from the scene show his body on the tarmac next to the mangled wreck of the bike. His partner broke down in tears when she saw he had died.

She said: "He has only been in Thailand for a day. He went out with his friends to ride his motorcycle. I rushed here as soon as I heard the news about the crash. I'm devastated. I never thought he would never be coming home."

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thammanchit Sittisart, Deputy Chief of Investigation of the Sattahip Police Station, said officers were notified of the crash at around 8.40 pm. They inspected the scene where the man's red and black Kawasaki Z900 motorcycle lay wrecked on the pavement next to a broken traffic sign.

He was found in a puddle of blood, with a fractured skull and severe lacerations on the back of his head.

The police chief said: "We have taken photos of the scene. Witnesses will be questioned to determine the cause of the accident. The British man's body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok to find the cause of death for further legal proceedings."