KOH RACHA YAI: Japanese tourist Akira Egoshi, 24, died while diving in Siam Bay, off Koh Racha Yai, on Wednesday.

Pol Maj Chana Sutthimas, an Inspector with the Chalong Police, told the Gazette that a tour party of 11 Japanese tourists led by four dive masters from Kata Diving Co Ltd left Chalong Pier aboard the dive boat Laddawan 5 at 8:20 am, bound for Koh Racha Yai.

“The crew of Laddawan 5 called in at about 4 pm to report that a diver was missing,” he said. “At that time, their divers were still looking for him.”

Maj Chana said that it seemed Mr Egoshi had swam away from the rest of the divers and had become snagged on a rock. Unable to free himself, he had run out of oxygen.

Marine Police responded to the Laddawan 5 crew’s call for help and launched a search for Mr Egoshi, Maj Chana said.

“Hi s body was found and taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where it was identified. We are continuing our investigation into the incident,” he added.

The Gazette made repeated attempts today to contact senior management at Kata Dive Co Ltd but without success.

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette
18:33 local time (GMT +7)