Scottish boxer dies after falling from tuk-tuk in Patong

A 22-year-old Scottish boxer has died after falling from a tuk-tuk in Patong in the early hours of June 14, and police have arrested the driver and filed negligence charges.

Colin Cairney, an undefeated welterweight champion from Scotland, suffered critical head injuries after falling from the rear of the vehicle on Phra Barami Road in Kathu district, according to Patong police and his boxing club. He was treated in intensive care at Vachira Phuket Hospital but later died.

Police chief investigator Pol Maj Surachart Thongyai said Cairney had travelled to Phuket for a holiday with relatives and friends from the United Kingdom. Before the incident, he had taken a red tuk-tuk from an entertainment venue to return to his hotel after a night out.

According to CCTV footage and information from hotel security staff, a dispute arose over the fare because Cairney did not have cash to pay. It was then agreed that the driver would take him to withdraw money from an ATM. A hotel security guard told police that Cairney had first tried unsuccessfully to exchange a card for cash at the hotel before deciding to withdraw money to pay the fare, estimated at 300 to 400 baht.

Police said video showed the tuk-tuk travelling back toward Patong at 4.02am without dropping off the passenger. Cairney then fell from the rear of the vehicle and struck his head on the road.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed no evidence of an assault, despite earlier speculation. A woman was seen leaving the hotel with Cairney, but police had not confirmed whether she was in the tuk-tuk when he fell.

The driver, identified by police only as Kitpong, 34, from Phatthalung province, was later located and questioned. He admitted picking up a foreign man and woman from Bangla Road and taking them to a hotel near Kalim Beach, police said.

During questioning, the driver said the tourists had no cash on arrival and asked to be taken to an ATM. He said he drove the male tourist, who appeared intoxicated, to three separate ATM locations, but all attempts to withdraw money failed. He then decided to return the passenger to the original pickup point on Bangla Road.

The driver told police that while driving at a normal speed near a hotel on Phra Barami Road, he sensed something was wrong with the vehicle but did not stop to check. After driving about two kilometres farther, he realised the passenger was no longer in the tuk-tuk. He did not report the incident and only later learned that the passenger had suffered severe injuries and died.

Police have charged the driver with negligence causing death and failing to stop and provide assistance. Pol Maj Surachart said the suspect confessed to the charges.

The investigator also said alcohol might have been a factor, as Cairney's friends appeared intoxicated when they later arrived at the hospital. Blood samples were collected for testing, with official results still pending.

Cairney's death prompted tributes from Scotland. His club, 1314 Boxing Club in Stirling, said on Facebook that he was "not just a member of the club, but family." Kynoch Boxing Scotland also said it was devastated by the death of one of the "stars of our stable."

Cairney had an undefeated professional record of 10 fights with six knockouts since turning professional in February 2023. He won the WBO International Youth Welterweight Title in 2025.