Russian tourist killed in 'hit-and-run' in Thailand as police hunt driver

A Russian tourist was killed in an alleged horror hit-and-run in Thailand as police launched a manhunt for the driver.

Irina Sukhorukova, 42, was crossing the street when a car smashed into her along Thep Krasattri Road on resort island Phuket, on July 20.

The holidaymaker was killed at the scene as the vehicle sped away, leaving her sprawled near the central reservation.

Passing motorists called police at around 4:45 am local time.

Emergency responders arrived to find the woman lying on the road with gruesome injuries.

Officers said she suffered a crushed skull, severe bleeding, and a severed right ankle.

Her mobile phone and purse were found at the scene.

Police Major Natthee Pichitchainithimet said efforts were ongoing to track down the driver, who remains at large.

He said: 'We examined the body before sending it to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem exam.

'We are also reviewing CCTV footage to trace the vehicle in question for legal action.'

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.