The body of a 76-year-old Pennsylvania man is found floating in the sea in Thailand seven days after he fell from a tourist observation deck onto craggy rocks
- Local fisherman found John Joseph Sheridan, 74, dead in Phuket, Thailand
- The body was already decomposing after being presumed dead for seven days
- The pensioner wore a Heineken beer logo shirt and green shorts with a fanny pack containing his passport and 30,000 baht (£675) in cash
Fishermen found John Joseph Sheridan, 74, of Pennsylvania, floating on the rocky stretch of shoreline at Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday. Officers found a hotel key card and a South Korean residence card on him
Locals found the body of an American tourist floating off an island in Thailand after apparently falling onto sharp rocks and bleeding to death.
Fishermen found John Joseph Sheridan, 74, of Pennsylvania, floating on the rocky stretch of shoreline at Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday.
It took lifeguards at least two hours to pull the tourist’s body ashore as it was already decomposing after being presumed dead for seven days.
The pensioner wore a Heineken beer logo shirt and green shorts with a fanny pack containing his passport and 30,000 baht (£675) in cash.
He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy while the US Embassy was briefed on the incident.
Chalong Police Chief Colonel Karat Plaidueng said: “The body was found in the water among the rocks in front of a viewing platform north of Yanui Beach.
“We believe he fell off the observation deck and hit the sharp rocks below before bleeding to death. CCTV in the area would be reviewed in an ongoing investigation.’
His body was face down, his face tucked between the rocks while his legs were folded.
Fishermen found John Joseph Sheridan, 74, of Pennsylvania, floating on the rocky stretch of shoreline at Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday
The pensioner wore a Heineken beer logo shirt and green shorts with a fanny pack containing his passport and 30,000 baht (£675) in cash
His shoe was left behind after the fall, which authorities took as evidence
The man had worms all over his body, his skin swelled, and bones protruded.
Officers found a hotel key card and a South Korean residence card on him.
Lt. Col. Jarus Lempan, who was investigating the case, said: “We checked CCTV on the path the tourist walked past. The older tourist was missing, the hotel said.
“We will coordinate with the American Embassy and proceed with the next steps.” Officials said the US Embassy in Bangkok had been notified of John’s death so officials could contact family members.
The body was found by a local fisherman when his body was floating on the rocky part of the shore at Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand