A woman claims that her brother could have been rescued from drowning at a well-known beach in Thailand if the lifeguard on duty had received proper training. Lauren Smy, aged 30, expressed that her brother Jason Lambert, 37, lost his life after being swept away while swimming at Freedom Beach in Phuket on November 29. Smy recounted the tragic event, stating that Lambert, along with seven others, got caught in a rip current, leading to the fatal incident.
According to Smy, the situation unfolded rapidly, with Lambert ultimately being saved and receiving CPR from bystanders. Smy, who was also caught in the current, shared her harrowing experience of struggling in the water. Lambert was rushed to Patong Hospital but was declared deceased later that day. While a UK coroner classified Lambert’s death as accidental, Smy attributed part of the blame to the inadequate training of the lifeguard on duty.
Expressing her frustration, Smy emphasized the importance of lifeguards being properly trained in water rescue techniques. She highlighted that the lifeguard failed to follow correct procedures, impacting the rescue efforts. Smy recalled moments of chaos during the incident and mentioned an instance where she intervened to stop the lifeguard from recording a video instead of assisting in the rescue operation.
Lambert, a father of four and a bouncer from Colchester, was on a trip to Asia with his family when the tragic incident occurred. Police reports indicated that the incident took place around 11:30 am, with authorities being informed an hour later. Eyewitnesses described the frantic efforts made by beachgoers to assist those in distress, with one individual managing to rescue two struggling tourists using a kayak.
In conclusion, the lack of adequate lifeguard training has been highlighted as a contributing factor to the tragic drowning incident that claimed the life of Jason Lambert. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of well-prepared and competent lifeguards in ensuring beach safety.