Lifeguards have saved a 3 year old child from drowning at a southern Phuket beach but, tragically, the boy’s father was swept away by the waves. At this stage (10am Monday morning) the man’s body has not been recovered.
Khaosod English reports that the incident happened yesterday afternoon, June 9, when an American man took his Thai wife and child to go swimming at Nai Harn Beach, at the southern end of the island on the west coast. Conditions on the west coast can be dangerous at this time of year and at around 4.45pm, it appears the family got caught by a rip current that pulled them into deeper waters.
While the Thai woman managed to get herself back to shore, her son and partner were swept out. Lifeguards went out to rescue the pair but were only able to save the 3 year old as the American man had disappeared.
Chalong Police were alerted to a drowning at Nai Harn Beach and arrived on the scene with divers from the Phuket Kusoldham Foundation, and officials from Rawai Municipality.
Divers carried out a search for the missing American, who has been named as 49 year old James Everett Du Bois. However, their efforts were hampered by the rising tide and strong winds. The search continued until 8.30pm, when it was suspended for safety reasons and is expected to resume this morning.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
