Korean drowns while trying to save his wife

KATA: A Korean man drowned off Kata Beach about 11 am yesterday after being dragged out to sea while trying to save his wife, who had swum into difficulty.

Hun Sang Suk, 46, had swum out to rescue his wife, who had been dragged away from the shore by strong currents, said Lt Ratthaket Mingmuang of Chalong Police Station.

“The red flags were up at the beach, but they still went swimming. I saw that there were strong waves that looked dangerous there,” he said.

Mr Hun’s two teenage daughters then swam out to aid their father, but he was pulled out even further to sea, where he drowned, Lt Ratthaket said.

The two girls and their mother made it safely back to shore, he added.

Mr Hun’s body was recovered about midday, and was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Mrs Hun and her daughters were taken to Patong Hospital before being transfered to Bangkok Hospital Phuket to be treated for shock and ingestion of seawater, Lt Ratthaket said.

The family had being staying at the Peach Hill hotel in Kata and were due to fly home tomorrow, he added.