The saga of former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo’s leg injury has taken a dramatic turn after the Finnish racing coach told Bangkok police the incident was an accident and not an assault.
A week after he sustained a nasty cut that required 28 stitches — giving rise to some alarming headlines in Finland and elsewhere — Thai police got to hear his story in person on Tuesday.
National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch had ordered officers to expedite their investigation after reports about the May 19 incident went viral.
The first report appeared on the Finnish-language website Ilta-Sanomat (IS) on May 22. It quoted the former race driver as saying the incident occurred when a motorbike passed him as he was crossing a road in Bangkok. He later realised that he had sustained a serious leg wound, possibly from a sharp object.
IS quoted him as saying that the hospital staff who stitched him up said they had encountered a handful of similar cases that night. Mr Salo did not file a police report.
A day later, the Daily Express in the UK picked up the tale and upgraded it to a “stabbing rampage”.
On Monday the story was picked up by ScandAsia, an English-language site popular with Scandinavians, before making its way across social media and into mainstream media including the Bangkok Post.
Thai police began looking into the story and finally caught up with Mr Salo on Tuesday. He clarified to investigators that the incident was accidental, said Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office.
According to the preliminary police investigation, the incident occurred at about 11pm on May 19. Mr Salo, 59, had been walking from Sukhumvit Soi 6 past the entrance to Sukhumvit Soi 4 and was crossing a zebra crossing toward the Nana intersection when he felt a motorcycle brush against him.
He reportedly did not realise he had been injured until a passer-by alerted him that his leg was bleeding.
He later sought treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital, where the wound required 28 stitches.
Authorities also received reports from hotel staff in the area that other tourists had described similar incidents. Investigators have since reviewed CCTV video from the area to identify the motorcycle rider and determine exactly what happened. (Story continues below)
Official statement
Pol Lt Gen Trairong later visited Mr Salo at Police General Hospital, where he was undergoing a follow-up examination, before he proceeded to the Lumpini police station to give a formal statement.
Mr Salo told police that the incident was an accident, and thanked Thai police for their assistance and care.
He said he came to Thailand to enjoy the sunshine, relax and keep himself active. He added that he plans to return to the country in the future.
Asked if he had safety concerns, he said he felt reassured, while expressing surprise at the large police presence. Having seen the news reports, he said he wanted to clarify what had actually happened.
Mika Salo competed in 111 Formula One events from 1994 to 2002, scoring 33 career points and achieving two podium finishes, both in 1999. He drove for several teams including Ferrari, Lotus, Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Sauber and Toyota.
