Swiss tourist dies after being pulled from Phuket waters

PHUKET: Police are waiting for doctors to confirm whether or not a 75-year-old Swiss man pulled from the water at Patong Beach yesterday afternoon died from drowning or other – more natural – causes.

Staff at Patong Hospital notified Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Pratuang Polmana of the man’s death at about 4:15pm.

Police named the man as Thomas Nebel, 75.

“Lifeguards rushed Mr Nebel to the hospital after he was pulled from the water,” Lt Col Pratuang said.

“A beach chair operator told police that Mr Nebel rented a chair in front of Loma Park in the morning. Mr Nebel then spent all day on the beach, before going for a swim. He then may have suffered from a cramp, which in turn could have led to him drowning,” Col Pratuang explained.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong