British tourist drowns after Phuket weather warning issued
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A British tourist drowned at Karon Beach Wednesday afternoon, hours after a heavy weather warning was issued for Phuket and other areas along the Andaman coast.
Police named the victim as Edward Joseph Brookes, 63, from England.
Brookes disappeared in the surf in front of Karon Municipality Stadium at 2:40pm after enjoying lunch with his wife, Kata-Karon chief lifeguard Uten Singsom told the Phuket Gazette.
“By the time lifeguards noticed Brookes was in trouble, he was about 70 meters from the shore,” Uten said.
Lifeguards rushed out and brought him back to the beach. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but were unable to revive him.
“While we were giving him CPR, beer came out his mouth,” Mr Uten added.
Efforts to revive Brookes continued as rescue workers sped him to Patong Hospital.
“He was pronounced dead on arrival,” Uten said.
Brookes’ 60-year-old wife, Marion, told lifeguards that the couple had just finished lunch when Brookes decided to go for a swim.
“She confirmed that her husband drank beer with his lunch,” Uten said.
“She stayed on the beach, and had no idea what had happened until lifeguards brought her husband back on shore,” he added.
Karon Beach has gained a notorious reputation for surf safety over the years. The tourist-popular beach is prone to large waves and dangerous rips during the southwest monsoon season.
