Shane Warne’s body transported to Thai mainland for autopsy

The body of cricketing legend Shane Warne is one step closer to being flown back to Australia after the latest developments in Thailand.

The body of cricketing legend Shane Warne has transferred to a mainland Thailand hospital for an autopsy, which has been carried out.

The 52-year-old died after suffering a suspected heart attack at a luxury villa on the island of Koh Samui on Friday.

An ambulance carrying the bowler‘s remains was taken by ferry from the holiday island to the mainland, with Warne’s friends and Australian officials also on board.

It was driven to a hospital in the town of Surat Thani, where doctors undertook the procedure overnight to determine the exact cause of death.

The body of Shane Warne is transported in an ambulance from the mortuary of the Koh Samui Hospital. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP)

His body had to be moved to the mainland as the Koh Samui hospital was not equipped to perform an autopsy.

According to the Herald Sun, there was a small delay in the transfer as paperwork was organised.

There had been reports Warne’s family wanted the autopsy to be completed in Australia, but police overnight confirmed they had permission to undergo the procedure in Thailand.

It’s not known how long it will take to determine the cause of death.

Australian officials hope to have a better idea when the repatriation process can begin on Monday.

People lay flowers and other items at the statue of Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Australian ambassador to Thailand, Allan McKinnon, has said hospital staff were facilitating the return of his remains as soon as possible.

Warne was staying in a private villa with three friends, one who performed CPR after finding him unresponsive when he did not show up for dinner.

Police Colonel Yuthana Sirisombat, director of Bo Phut Provincial Police station in Koh Samui, said Warne had experienced chest pains before his trip to Thailand.

Citing interviews with family, he revealed Warne had a history of heart disease and asthma.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

The MCG is being considered as a location for a state funeral after Warne’s family accepted the offer.