Best friends Derek Gent and Mike Holmes killed whilst on dream holiday in Thailand

Best friends Derek Gent and Mike Holmes, both 68, died while on a dream holiday in Thailand with their wives.

An inquest has heard that the men, both from Milnrow, died after being hit by a speeding car while out walking. The driver of a grey Toyota lost control of his vehicle whilst trying to overtake another car at ‘high speed’ on a single lane road.

When the Toyota collided with the other vehicle, it span out of control and hit both Mr Gent and Mr Holmes, who were walking on the pavement alongside the Koh Samui ring road.

The inquest, at The Phoenix Centre, Heywood, also heard that the car ploughed into a restaurant during the crash on 23 March 2013.

Authorities in Thailand said that Mr Gent and Mr Holmes were killed instantly. Their wives had remained at their hotel while the men went out walking.

The driver of the Toyota, a 33-year-old man, was later charged with negligence and given a two year suspended jail sentence with one year’s probation. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 50,000 Baht – approximately £950.

It is unknown how fast the car was travelling at the time of the accident.

The driver of the Toyota escaped the crash without injury, but the driver of the other vehicle involved was said to be seriously injured and taken to Bangkok Hospital.

Coroner Simon Nelson concluded that both men died while being pedestrians, subject to a road traffic collision.

Mr Gent, a former Chief Trading Standards Officer at Oldham Council, left his widow Christine and their two daughters.

Mr Holmes, a former Industrial Sales Representative, left his widow Janet and their three children.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/79049/pals-die-in-holiday-horror