A 22-year-old tradie from Melbourne has been identified as the young male tourist who died while on a boating tour in Thailand.
Corey Walsh was on a boating tour off the coast of Phuket when he dove off the Marinda 2 tour boat while intoxicated on Tuesday.
Mr Walsh, who was a roof plumber from Frankston, was reportedly intoxicated when he jumped into the water near Koh Racha Yai – a popular destination for snorkelling.
It is believed the 22-year-old was dragged underwater due to a strong current despite his efforts to paddle and stay afloat.
Mr Walsh was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive, with tour conductors issuing a distress call for emergency services about 2.28pm local time.
Medics immediately administered CPR on the young traveller while on the deck of the boat before rushing him to Chalong Hospital in Phuket.
However, despite their efforts, staff at the hospital pronounced Mr Walsh dead at 3.53pm.
The boat trip from the island of Koh Racha Yai can take between 45 minutes to one hour, with an additional 15 minute car ride from the port to Chalong Hospital.
Melbourne roof plumber Corey Walsh, 22, (pictured) died while holidaying in Thailand
Mr Walsh tragically drowned after he dove off a tour boat and into the water off the coast of Koh Racha Yai while reportedly intoxicated (pictured, tour boat at Racha Yai Island)
Friends have shared heartbreaking tributes, with many describing him as a genuine young man with a ‘beautiful soul’.
Mr Walsh’s friend Zack Williams described the young tradie as a ‘one of a kind friend’ in a touching post shared to social media.
‘There was seriously not a time you didn’t have a smile on your face, and the way you could bring everyone else’s moods up was insane,’ Mr Williams wrote.
Another friend wrote: ‘you are the most genuine and outgoing person I know who could make everyone smile in the smoko sheds in a Monday morning’
‘A bloke you could talk to about stuff and not be judged. A loving caring and all-round soldier. You will be very much missed my little dude.
‘Love you heaps mate until we meet again.’
A GoFundMe was set up to help Mr Walsh’s family with funeral costs and any additional expenses.
‘This is for a Corey, a young man who struck a-lot of people’s hearts for being a kind, caring and just a beautiful soul,’ the GoFundMe reads.
‘From a stranger, to family, to friends, he seemed to put a smile on anyones face.
‘We would like to help the family by doing this fundraiser to show support and just how much love this man bought to this world.
‘Our condolences go out to the Walsh family and just a massive thank you for bringing up this one of a kind gentleman.’
Medics found Mr Walsh unconscious and unresponsive on the boat deck and immediately administered CPR before rushing him to Chalong Hospital where he was pronounced dead
Friend and family have shared touching tributes, describing Mr Walsh (pictured) as a ‘one of a kind’ man with a ‘beautiful soul’
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has received 97 donations totalling $10,305 and has a goal of raising $20,000.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said staff were supporting the family of the young man.
‘We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,’ they said in a statement.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Thailand.’
Mr Walsh’s body was taken to the Vachira Phuket Hospital while officials organised his repatriation.
It’s believed his body has since arrived in Melbourne, with his family organising funeral arrangements.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanen Somrak from the Chalong Police Station told media Mr Walsh was one of seven foreign tourists on the tour boat. ‘
‘The victim had consumed a large amount of alcohol before entering the water,’ Mr Somrak said.
‘He was reportedly intoxicated and repeatedly jumped in and out of the sea before eventually drowning.
‘No illegal substances were found at the scene. Only empty alcohol beverage bottles were discovered.’
