Tourist drowns at Kamala

KAMALA: A 63-year-old Swiss tourist died in an ambulance on the way to hospital yesterday after being pulled from the sea at Kamala. Police named him as Alexander Jost, a regular visitor to the island who had been in Phuket on his latest visit since November 20. Pol Capt Narong Loypatumviroj, Inspector of Kathu Police Station, said that Thais and foreigners on Kamala beach about 2:30 pm yesterday tried to revive Mr Jost, but he died on the way to Patong Hospital. Doctors recorded the cause of his death as drowning. “He came to Phuket many times and he stayed at Keyoon Mansion, close to Big C supercenter,” Capt Narong said. Officers found several types of medication in his room. “We believe that he ran out of energy trying to swim back to the beach,” Capt Narong said. “Residents told me that he was swimming about 30 meters from shore, and he tried to get back. He waved his hands for help but by the time helpers reached him he was not moving in the water.” Police have contacted the Swiss Embassy in Bangkok so relatives can be informed.