Phuket’s sad tale of two Russians

PHUKET: Russian tourist Nikoley Bobrova, 64, rushed to his wife’s aid as soon as he saw her in trouble in Phuket’s surf yesterday but could not save her.

Mr Bobrova and his wife Irina, also 64, arrived in Phuket on holiday on December 1.

The couple were due to fly home tomorrow.

Police said the couple arrived at Karon Beach about 9am.

Mrs Bobrova apparently went swimming in a “no-swimming” zone marked by red flags while her husband kept watch on the beach, they said.

About 10am, she disappeared under the waves. Her husband rushed to rescue her, dragging her onto the beach.

Mr Bobrova tried to revive her, but to no avail.

Chalong Police duty officer Boonlert Onklang said police presume Mrs Bobrova drowned.

Her body has been taken to Vachira Hospital Phuket for further examination.

Earlier yesterday afternoon in Rawai, Russian tourist Tatiana Ghuprakov, 41, watched helplessly as her husband went into cardiac arrest and passed away.

Lt Col Boonlert said Mrs Ghuprakov and her husband, German, 46, checked in at the Chalong Beach Resort and Spa on Wiset Road on Friday and were due to fly home on December 22.

The couple were in their room at about 1pm Mr Ghuprakov collapsed in spasms and went into shock.

Mrs Chuprakova called for help, but by the time an emergency rescue team arrived it was too late to revive him, Lt Col Boonlert said.

Police presume Mr Chuprakova died of a heart attack, Lt Col Boonlert added, but his body was taken to Vachira Hospital Phuket for confirmation of the cause.

— Atchaa Khamlo