A young Aussie tourist who died while holidaying in Thailand has been identified as a tradie from Melbourne.
Corey Walsh, 22, was on a tour off the coast of Phuket when he dived off the Marinda 2 tour boat while intoxicated on Tuesday.
Mr Walsh, who was a roof plumber from Frankston, 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 at 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.
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.
Friends have shared heartbreaking tributes, with many describing Mr Walsh 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,’ it 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.’
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has received 97 donations totalling $10,305 and has a goal of raising $20,000.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said staff were supporting the family of the young man.
‘We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,’ he said.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an n 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 said 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,’ he 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.’