Phangnga: A Japanese tourist has died after her leg was slashed by a boat's propeller during a group dive near the Similan archipelago in southern Thailand.
The local tourism company, which organised the dive, rushed help to Saori Yoshida, but first aid, including an attempt to provide resuscitation, failed to save her life as the 35-year-old diver succumbed to "very severe wounds" on the way to a hospital, according to the tourist rescue centre in Phangnga.
She was initially taken by speed boat from Koh Tachai back to the mainland, but it was still too slow to help her.
Earlier, Yoshida and her friends had bought the diving trip package from South Siam Diver Co which took the group to the Similan archipelago in the Andaman Sea on Thursday.
According to an initial probe, sea currents and waves were very strong when Yoshida jumped into the water. She was almost immediately pulled under the main boat and cut by its propeller.
Company staff said they regretted the incident deeply and would take full responsibility for her death. The company and an insurance firm will pay one million baht to the next of kin.
Yoshida's body was sent to Takua Pa Hospital in Phangnga for autopsy as her case is being handled by police.
Investigating officers have already contacted Yoshida's family and the Japanese embassy.
