NZ teacher killed in Vietnam accident

A Taranaki teacher has been killed in a scooter accident in Vietnam.

Andrew Thomson, 44, died on Tuesday after being knocked from his scooter and run down by a car in the coastal Vietnamese town of Vung Tau last Sunday.

Mr Thomson or "Thommo" as he was known to friends, was head of social science at Waitara High School between 2003 and 2006, and also relieved in a number of Taranaki high schools.

He travelled widely and had been in Vietnam for around 10 weeks teaching English when the accident happened, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

"He absolutely loved Taranaki. Wherever he went round the world he sold it to the people he just drew to him. I'm sure he increased tourist numbers," said best friend Nigel Robinson.

Mr Thomson will be cremated today.

A memorial service will be held at New Plymouth Yacht Club on July 30.

- NZPA