Missing Phuket tourist whitewater rafter found dead

PHUKET: After three days of searching, rescue workers this morning found the body of a man who disappeared on Friday after a horrific whitewater rafting accident in Phang Nga, north of Phuket.

The Egyptian Embassy named the man as Hossamellein Mostafa Abdallas Hamada, 24, and confirmed to the Phuket Gazette today that the family had been notified and had already flown into Bangkok.

“The tour company, Rafting Discovery Ltd, is based in Chalong, Phuket, and took the group on a whitewater rafting day trip,” said Lt Pissanu Thaharn of Thung Ka Ngok Police Station.

During the trip, four tourists were thrown into Klong Song Phraek after their whitewater raft capsized. Aref Atamosammad Mosammad, 48, from Kuwait, died at the scene, Mr Mustafa disappeared into the rushing waters and two others were rushed to Phang Nga Hospital.

Hospital staff were unable to give details of the injuries sustained by the two surviving whitewater rafters brought to the facility. However, they did confirm to the Gazette that both were discharged on Friday.

The receptionist at Rafting Discovery Ltd declined to comment, but did say that company representatives were going to meet with police at Phang Nga hospital, where the body of Mr Mostafa is being held.

They also plan to contact the relatives of Mr Mostafa to offer condolences and compensation, she said.

— Orawin Narabal