This Article is From May 19, 2014

Fiji Man Charged Over Australian Tourist's Boat Death

Suva, Fiji: A man appeared in a Fiji court today charged with manslaughter over the death of an Australian tourist in a boat collision off the South Pacific nation last week.

Jimi Beti, 33, faces charges of manslaughter, criminal recklessness and negligence over the death of 40-year-old Mark Hardaker of New South Wales state last Thursday.

Hardaker was returning from a fishing trip when a speedboat driven by Beti, a Fijian, allegedly crashed into his vessel, causing fatal head injuries.

The court was told that Beti was operating the boat without a licence. He was refused bail and remanded to appear in Lautoka High Court on June 4.

Tourism is the nation's highest foreign exchange earner, with more than 700,000 Australians and New Zealanders travelling to Fiji annually.
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