Sale woman dies in Thailand on her honeymoon in boat tragedy

 Monica O’Connor, from Sale, aged 28, was travelling on the boat with her husband, Tim, and thirty two other tourists when it sank in rough seas on Thursday afternoon. Tim O’Connor  survived the accident, and is being looked after by British authorities.

The Thai police investigating the incident arrested the boat’s captain, Sanan Seekakiaw. He  faces a possible charge of reckless endangerment causing death, which comes with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

A search operation has resumed for a two missing people – a German man and a woman from Hong Kong is taking place.  Earlier today the body of another British victim, 46-year-old Jason Parnell – who was celebrating his first wedding anniversary with wife Puja when the crash happened, was recovered from the sea.

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

Mrs O’Connor, nee Cozma, married  Mr O’Connor in a stunning ceremony in front of their friends and family.

“To say I’m shocked is an understatement. RIP Monica xxx”

The speedboat was travelling back to the island from Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park when it was hit by an enormous wave and capsized.

Some people were trapped under the boat and had to be rescued by a passing speedboat,while others were forced to wait in the sea for a rescue boat to save them.

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 before the accident due to rough conditions.

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.”

When the vessel capsized, some passengers were thrown overboard while others became trapped beneath the boat, according to a port official.

At least one person had to be pulled from the hull after rescuers used a small axe to smash through it.

The Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has sadly died following a boat accident near Koh Samui, Thailand.