American drowns off Karon Beach
KARON: Despite relatively calm conditions at the time, an American man drowned at Karon Beach Wednesday afternoon.
Chalong Police Duty Officer Sanguan Muangtham identified the deceased as 54-year-old Michael Stephen Jones, holder of an American passport.
At around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, tourists and members of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Beach Guard noticed Mr Jones was in trouble about 20 meters offshore, off the stretch of beach near Karon Circle.
Lt Col Sanguan said, “When members of the beach guard and others pulled him out he was still alive. People at the scene said he died on the beach, not in the sea. We will have to wait for the autopsy report to know the exact cause of death.”
Mr Jones was at the beach with a Russian woman who police presumed to be his girlfriend. She had yet to be questioned by police, Lt Col Sanguan said.
“There were no red warning flags up at the time and I saw many other people swimming there on Tuesday, so I don’t think the conditions were as dangerous as they normally are at this time of year,” he said.
Mr Jones’ body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for examination.
The American Embassy has been informed of his passing, he said.
