A woman is asserting that her brother, who tragically drowned at a popular beach in Thailand, could have been rescued if the lifeguard present had received adequate training. According to Lauren Smy, her brother Jason Lambert, 37, lost his life after being swept out to sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket on 29 November. Smy recounted the harrowing experience, stating that Lambert, along with seven others, including herself, was caught in a rip current. She mentioned that the incident unfolded rapidly, with Lambert being rescued and bystanders initiating CPR efforts.
Lambert was rushed to Patong Hospital following the incident but was pronounced dead later that day. While a UK coroner labeled Lambert’s death accidental, Smy believes that the lack of proper training for the lifeguard played a role in the tragedy. Smy emphasized the importance of lifeguards being trained to handle water emergencies effectively, expressing her frustration at the lifeguard’s inability to swim and administer proper assistance.
Smy detailed the chaotic moments following the incident, mentioning her own distress and the actions taken by bystanders to aid Lambert. She highlighted the lifeguard’s inappropriate behavior of recording a video instead of focusing on the rescue efforts, leading her to intervene by taking away his phone.
Jason Lambert, a father of four working as a bouncer in Colchester, was on a family trip in Asia when the unfortunate event occurred. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai of Patong Police Station confirmed the timeline of events, indicating that Lambert was swimming with his wife when he got caught in strong waves and drowned.
An eyewitness, Chariya Thaweerat Howells, recounted the scene where individuals rushed to help those in distress in the rough sea. She described the swift actions taken by a local man who used a kayak to rescue two struggling tourists, underscoring the urgency and severity of the situation.
Overall, the incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of proper lifeguard training and swift emergency response in preventing such unfortunate outcomes.