Iraqi wrestling coach dies of heart attack in Phuket

PHUKET: A coach with the Iraqi wrestling team in Phuket for the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships died of a heart attack on Saturday night while returning from a night out on Phuket’s renowned Soi Bangla.

Kadee Abes, 44, from Iraq, was pronounced dead at 1:28am yesterday, Dr Patrinee Thammasrisawat of Patong Hospital told the Phuket Gazette.

“We tried for about two hours to save him, but failed. The cause of death was a heart attack,” Dr Patrinee said.

Patong Police Duty Officer Nikorn Chuthong explained that Mr Abes was with six other members of the Iraqi wrestling team support squad when he suffered the attack.

“After the wrestling competition on Saturday, tour van driver Thinnakorn Jingjit picked up seven of them from their hotel in Phuket Town and took them to Soi Bangla.

“After they finished walking around, at about 12:47am, they got back in the van to return to their hotel in town. On their way, Mr Abes went into shock and fell unconscious in the van. His friends rushed him to Patong Hospital,” Lt Col Nikorn said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong