UPDATE
The Russian man has been named as Gavrilov Romansidy, 29.
Original Report
PHUKET: A Russian tourist drowned while swimming at Karon, Phuket's most dangerous beach, this afternoon and failed to respond to resuscitation attempts by lifeguards.
The man, aged 29, ignored red flags and went into the water with three friends, a liefguard club spokesperson said this evening.
''The men swam out off the beach quite some distance,'' the spokesperson said. ''About 3.20pm, one of the men got into difficulties.
''Lifeguards swam and out and brought the man back to shore, where they performed cpr. The man failed to regain consciousness.''
Karon is one of the longest of Phuket's popular west coast tourist beaches. The number of lifeguard pods was increased from three to four earlier this year because of Karon's reputation as the most dangerous stretch of sand on the island.
Lifeguards at the pod closest to where the men entered the water - towards the northern end, opposite a statue of a fisherman and Tony's Restaurant - did not have a jet-ski to execute a rescue beyond the breakers.
The man was dead by the time an ambulance arrived. ''Rip'' currents make Karon more dangerous than other Phuket beaches between April and November, although it is generally tranquil and much safer the rest of the year.
The lifeguard spokesperson said that red flags were flying, and that the beach was busy today.
Language difficulties and non-compliance often make it difficult for lifeguards to keep the water clear of swimmers on red-flag days.
Phuketwan has been provided with the man's name but is withholding publication until Russian honorary consul officials have an opportunity to notify relatives.
It is believed the four friends were holidaying in Patong, the popular beach to the north of Karon. The man's body is in Patong Hospital.
Latest Better training and equipment appear to have saved Phuket from drownings at beaches for two months now. Hopes are improving for a safer holiday high season.
No Phuket Beach Drownings in Two Months Lifts Safety Hopes
Phuket Road Toll Falls: Injuries Still Crippling
Latest New figures for the first three quarters of 2011 show a drop in the road toll but no let-up in the number of people being injured on Phuket. Drownings are down, too.
Phuket Road Toll Falls: Injuries Still Crippling
Phuket Good Sports Tri Harder For Kids Swimming Safely
Latest Laguna Phuket ironmen and triathletes will be giving to the cause of safer swimming on Phuket and the region in a new program to teach children how to survive in water.
Phuket Good Sports Tri Harder For Kids Swimming Safely
Phuket's Riskiest Beach: Where the Killer Rips Pull and Drown
Latest A meeting of lifeguards, authorities, vendors and resorts hears what can be done to prevent more beach drownings on Phuket in future.
Phuket's Riskiest Beach: Where the Killer Rips Pull and Drown
Swiss Tourist Dies After Being Rescued at Phuket Beach
Latest A tourist has died in hospital after having been rescued from Phuket's popular Kata beach. Lifeguards believe the man was a good swimmer who probably suffered a heart attack.
Swiss Tourist Dies After Being Rescued at Phuket Beach
Phuket's Lifeguards Reach for Help in the Water
Latest Phuket's lifeguards are performing better than ever before on beaches, say the island's most knowledgeable water safety experts - and tourists who have been rescued.
Phuket's Lifeguards Reach for Help in the Water
A big well done to the lifeguard who risked his own life to pull this Russian from the sea. I hope he feels no guilt in failing to save this man,who through his own stupid actions could have cost him to lose his life as well. The world is full of idiots and the sea just got another one that's why the beach is flagged and sign posted red flags on beaches even in Russia mean don't swim.
Posted by Scunner on November 9, 2011 18:42