A 37-year-old British dad has tragically drowned while swimming with his partner at a busy beach.
Jason Mark Lambert, from Ipswich, was paddling in the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket, Thailand, on Saturday morning when a strong wave swept him away in a rip current.
Fellow holidaymakers rushed into the water to try to save him, but the British father of one, who had arrived in the Southeast Asian country with his wife on November 19 for a family trip, could not be revived. Two other swimmers were also dragged out to sea at the same time and both were luckily rescued alive.
Witness Chariya Thaweerat Howells, 31, said people initially jumped to the aid of two shouting swimmers before realising a third person was struggling in the water. She said: “The sea looked rough and we had only been there a few minutes when we heard cries for help.
“Everyone ran to assist. A Thai man launched a kayak and managed to reach the two struggling tourists and get them safely to shore.
“Only then did people realise a third man was being washed in. By the time they dragged him onto the sand his face was already pale and yellowish. He had clearly been underwater for some time.”
(
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)
Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai of Patong Police Station said: “The incident happened at around 11.30am, and we were notified an hour later.
“He went to the beach with his wife at around 10am. While swimming, he was caught in strong waves and disappeared beneath the surface.
“Tourists on the beach rushed to help and managed to pull him from the water. They attempted CPR for first aid while waiting for the emergency service, but he could not be revived.”
(
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)
The Mirror has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
