Girl, 11, ripped from father’s arms in deadly surf

PHUKET: An 11-year old Korean girl was ripped from the arms of her father and swept out to sea by strong waves during a day trip to Koh Racha on Monday.

Tour boat staff later found her unconscious body floating in the water some distance from the beach at Ao Patok on Racha Island, where she had been swimming with her father before they were separated.

Paramedics called to respond administered CPR as the girl and her father were taken to the mainland by boat, but they were unable to revive her. She was rushed to Chalong Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The child, named Ma Eun Park, was holidaying in Phuket with her parents – both Korean nationals. She was swept away during a trip with her father, Hee Bok Park, to the island off the southern coast of Phuket in Rawai District.

“The family of three arrived in Phuket on October 22 and were staying at a hotel in Patong. They were due to leave on October 28,” confirmed Chalong Police chief Thada Sodarak.

“It’s a tragic loss of life. We are deeply sorry for the family,” said Maj Thad.

— Winai Sarot