British tourist, 24, is killed by hit-and-run driver while motorcycling in Bali

A tragic accident has claimed the life of a young British tourist in Bali.

The 24-year-old victim was riding a rented motorcycle on the Singaraja-Kintamani highway, one of the main roads connecting the north and south of the island, when he was hit by a car passing him from the opposite direction.

The driver of the car, a 54-year-old man named Njoo Pin Tek, did not stop to help the injured tourist and continued his journey towards Kintamani, a highland area famous for its volcano and more.

He later told police he did not realize he had knocked the Brit off his bike and thought he had only ‘grazed’ him after taking too wide a bend.

Buleleng police traffic unit chief AKP Bachtiar Arifin said: “(The driver) thought (the motorcyclist) was just grazed because he was positioned from the side. It didn’t feel like he had been hit, so he continued his journey towards Kintamani.’

Many tourists choose to rent a motorcycle to explore the island because it is cheap and convenient, but they also expose themselves to the risk of accidents and injuries

Police arrested Njoo after tracking down his car using CCTV footage and witness statements. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Arifin added: “The matter is being processed for resolution.”

The Briton’s family are now trying to repatriate his body back to Britain, with the help of the British consulate in Bali.

MailOnline has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

Bali is a popular destination for British tourists, who form the third largest group of foreign visitors to the island after Australians and Chinese.

However, Bali also has a reputation for being a dangerous place to ride, especially for inexperienced motorcyclists.

The island’s road network is often congested, poorly maintained and poorly lit, and traffic rules are not always followed by locals.

Many tourists choose to rent a motorcycle to explore the island because it is cheap and convenient, but they also expose themselves to the risk of accidents and injuries.

Hundreds of foreigners die in Bali every year, mainly as a result of traffic accidents.

The tragic incident on November 2 occurred when an Australian tourist, who suffered horrific injuries in a similar crash, was forced to crowdfund an emergency flight back to Australia while his insurance company dragged its feet.

Jacob Villablanca, from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast, was hospitalized after a ‘serious motorcycle accident’ that left him unconscious on November 1.

The accident tore the skin and muscles of his shin and caused him to bleed in the brain.

His mother Julie and sister Grace boarded the first plane to Bali, standing next to his hospital bed, and revealed the family are desperately raising money for his flight back to Australia.

“The insurance company won’t approve it for another four days and that’s too long. We need to get him back immediately for surgery on his leg,” Grace wrote on Facebook.

Jacob Villablanca (right), from Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast, was left with horrific injuries after a motorcycle accident in Bali on Wednesday

She also shared a graphic photo of the shin bone where the skin and muscle had been torn off, leaving some of the bone exposed.

Friends at home rallied around the family after it emerged Mr Villablanca required an ‘SOS’ medical evacuation flight back to Australia.

“Jacob was found unconscious and transported to a hospital in Bali,” friend Aimee Kostrubic wrote on a post. GoFundMe.

‘He is now conscious but has significant lower limb damage and some bleeding on the brain.

“Jacob has been advised to return to Australia as soon as possible to receive the medical attention and surgery he desperately needs.”

Mr Villablanca’s family were told he required an SOS pick-up flight due to the extent of his significant injuries, which cost $68,000.

“As you can imagine, the family is extremely sad and wants to get Jacob back to Australia as soon as possible,” Ms Kostrubic said.

“He will need emergency surgery in Western Australia before he can go home.”