A British father-of-four drowned on holiday in Thailand after being caught in a rip current, and his sister claims the lifeguard on duty could not swim. Jason Mark Lambert, 37, from Colchester, was swimming at Freedom Beach in Phuket on 29 November when he was swept out to sea along with seven others, including his sister.
Lauren Smy, 30, said the incident happened within seconds. 'It happened so quick – a wave just came over us, pulled us out,' she told the Gazette. Lambert tried to help her but another wave separated them. Smy was rescued about 10 minutes later, while Lambert was pulled ashore by a kayaker. Members of the public performed CPR for 33 minutes, but he was pronounced dead at Patong Hospital that afternoon.
Smy criticised the lifeguard, saying he recorded a video instead of helping. 'The lifeguard on duty, he told us he can't swim,' she said. She grabbed his phone and threw it. Smy believes the lifeguard's lack of training contributed to her brother's death, as he did not know proper rescue techniques. A UK coroner ruled the death accidental.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai said Lambert went to the beach with his wife at around 10am and was caught in strong waves. Eyewitness Chariya Thaweerat Howells described the sea as rough and said Lambert's face was pale and yellowish when brought ashore.
