Body Found In Search For Missing Briton Jason Parnell Following Thai Speedboat Crash In Koh Samui

Jason Parnell was celebrating his one-year anniversary.
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A body has been found in the search for a British man who went missing after a speedboat capsized in Thailand.

Authorities have been searching for missing 46-year-old Jason Parnell since Thursday after a huge wave capsized a boat carrying 32 tourists off the coast of Koh Samui.

Parnell was celebrating his one-year wedding anniversary with his wife Puja when the crash happened.

Rescue workers attempt to retrieve a woman from under a capsized boat on Koh Samui, Thailand
Rescue workers attempt to retrieve a woman from under a capsized boat on Koh Samui, Thailand
ASSOCIATED PRESS

British woman Monica O'Connor, 28, died in the accident, alongside a German man and a woman from Hong Kong, local authorities said.

The Thai tourist police said a fourth body had been found on Sunday morning but it is understood authorities are waiting for formal identification.

Parnell and Mrs O'Connor's husband Tim are both believed to have escaped unharmed.

The O'Connors were reportedly on their honeymoon.

The Angthong Discovery Tour vessel was carrying 32 tourists and four crew members when it overturned after hitting rough waters and strong winds.

The boat's captain, Sanan Seekakiaw, was taken into police custody following the crash and faces a possible charge of reckless endangerment causing death, which comes with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Seekakiaw said he had asked all tourists to wear a life vest but that some had taken them off during the journey.

Travel agent Amm Pontfuk, who has worked with Angthong Discovery for a number of years, said the boat had not left shore in the days preceding the accident due to rough conditions.

Rescued tourists rest on the shore after their boat capsized on Koh Samui, Thailand
Rescued tourists rest on the shore after their boat capsized on Koh Samui, Thailand
ASSOCIATED PRESS

She told the Press Association: "This company is the number one for my travel agency, I have sent the manager customers for years, I have known him a long time.

"He is very concerned and professional, normally in bad weather he doesn't go out - he did not go out for three days already - and yesterday he thought the weather was OK and that was why he went out.

"The wind blew very, very strong and it made the boat go under the waves and flip."

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