Col Chawalit Peachsripea of the Ao Nang Police confirmed to The Phuket News yesterday(Oct 17) that between midday and 1pm on Tuesday he received a report that American tourist Priell Schmalbach fell while rock climbing at Railay Beach, Ao Nang in Krabi.
The report came from people at the scene.
Officers and rescue workers went to the scene to find an unconscious Mr Schmalbach lying on the ground. At the time it was believed that although he was unconscious Mr Schmalbach had only suffered a broken arm.
Mr Schmalbach was initially taken to a medical clinic in Ao Nang, however, it was then discovered that he has sustained serious injuries so was transferred him to Krabi Hospital.
It was later confirmed that Mr Priell was in a coma at the ICU of Krabi Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Krabi Governor Pol Lt Col (Rtd) ML Kitibodee Pravitra visited Krabi Hospital to see Mr Schmalbach and ordered officials and hospital staff to take good care of him and his wife and provide everything the wife might need such as transportation, food and drink.