A woman has expressed her belief that her brother could have been rescued from drowning at a well-known beach in Thailand if the lifeguard had received proper training. Lauren Smy, aged 30, shared that her brother, Jason Lambert, 37, tragically lost his life after being swept out to sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket on November 29. Smy revealed that her brother, along with seven others, including herself, got caught in a rip current.
Recalling the harrowing incident, Smy mentioned that everything unfolded rapidly. Lambert was saved, and bystanders initiated CPR. Smy was brought back to shore around ten minutes later. She described the terrifying moment when they were pulled away by the waves, causing panic and desperation for survival.
Lambert was taken to Patong Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to the ordeal later that day. Despite the UK coroner’s ruling of accidental death, Smy pointed out the lifeguard’s lack of proper training as a contributing factor.
Expressing her frustration, Smy emphasized the necessity of lifeguards being adequately trained in water rescue procedures. She recounted feeling overwhelmed and witnessing the lifeguard filming the situation, prompting her to take action and discard his phone.
Lambert, a father of four and a bouncer in Colchester, was on a trip to Asia with his family when the tragic incident occurred. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai of Patong Police Station disclosed that the incident was reported an hour after it happened. Eyewitnesses described the hectic scene of beachgoers coming to the aid of those struggling in the water, with one individual using a kayak to rescue two distressed individuals.
The tragic loss has raised concerns about the preparedness and training of lifeguards in ensuring beach safety and swift emergency response.