Phuket kitesurfer not stung, didn’t drown, say lifeguards

PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards have dismissed the assertion that the American kitesurfer who died shortly after being pulled from the sea at Nai Harn Beach yesterday drowned or was stung by a jellyfish.

Nai Harn lifeguard Charintorn Naripen told the Phuket Gazette, “Four of us tried for 20 minutes to revive the casualty before the ambulance arrived. We don’t believe he drowned as he did not throw up any liquid. Also, the location when he raised the alarm was very close to the beach.

“Even though we’ve found about five bluebottles [stingers] on Nai Harn Beach every day, we found no trace of them on him, so we’re quite sure he didn’t die from that,” he said.

Mr Charintorn added that the wind yesterday was quite strong, and that kitesurfers usually do not venture out when the wind is too strong.

The identity of the American kite surfer has not been released as relatives have yet to be informed, the Gazette was told.

Staff at Bangkok Hospital Phuket today said they had yet to identify the cause of death and were awaiting contact from the US Embassy.

— Atchaa Khamlo