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The devastated boyfriend of Emily Collie, who has been charged over her death after their jet-skis collided in Phuket, says he will "take full responsibility for what happened" to his "soul mate".
Victorian man Thomas Keating, 22, was charged with careless driving causing death at Phuket police station on Thursday.
Thomas Keating, the partner of Victorian woman Emily Collie, who was killed when two jet skis crashed in waters off Phuket, will be charged with reckless driving causing death. Vision courtesy: Channel Seven
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Thomas Keating, the partner of Victorian woman Emily Collie, who was killed when two jet skis crashed in waters off Phuket, will be charged with reckless driving causing death. Vision courtesy: Channel Seven
Mr Keating and Ms Collie were riding jet-skis near Kata Beach on Sunday when they collided at high-speed.
Ms Collie, from Kyabram, suffered severe neck and shoulder injuries. The 20-year-old woman was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Accompanied by his family and Ms Collie's family, Mr Keating was questioned for several hours by police on Thursday, and again on Friday.
Mr Keating expressed his sorrow and remorse over his girlfriend's death, in an emotional statement circulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Friday night.
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"First and foremost, I would like to express my unbearable sorrow at the loss of my soul mate Emily, who I loved more than anything in this world, as well as my never-ending apologies and condolences to Ian and Sally Collie and the rest of their family," he said.
"They have my heartfelt gratitude for the love and support they have shown me while they are coping with the most devastating loss imaginable.
Thomas Keating (centre) arriving at Phuket police station with members of his family, and the family of his late girlfriend Emily Collie. Photo: Twitter/@7NewsMelb
"I respect the country of Thailand and the Thai people. This was a tragic accident. However, I take responsibility for what happened.
"And I have decided that the best thing is to accept a charge of careless driving leading to death."
Thomas Keating, 22, with his 'beautiful girl' Emily Collie, 20, who died in a jet ski crash. Photo: Facebook/@tommy.keating.5
Mr Keating is expected to plead guilty to the charge, and the case likely to be presented to court within the next fortnight.
His passport has been confiscated by authorities, which means he will not be able to leave Thailand until the trial is over.
However, Thai media has reported Mr Keating could return to Australia within four weeks, as he is expected to face a two-year suspended jail sentence after the guilty plea.
He asked for the media to respect the privacy of his family, and the Collie family, at such a difficult time.
"In honour of Emily and out of respect for Ian and Sally Collie, along with the rest of their family, neither I nor my family will be making any other public statements or speaking with press at this time," Mr Keating said.
His lawyers would "periodically provide information regarding my case when appropriate", he said in the statement.