Latest news with #CoreyWalsh
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Final moments of young Aussie who drowned in Thailand as his younger sister reveals the reason he was overseas with his mates
The sister of a young Aussie tourist who drowned in Thailand has revealed her older sibling had been celebrating with mates after finishing an intense training camp. Corey Walsh, 22, died last Tuesday after diving off a fishing charter boat while intoxicated near the tourist island of Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket. A week after Mr Walsh drowned, his younger sister Charleigh told he was with six of his best friends after completing a Muay Thai training camp they had been preparing for since January 1. 'We shared our whole childhood together. He was very caring and protective, as big brothers are,' Charleigh said. 'Corey would light up any room he walked into. He had a strong mindset and saw mistakes as growth. He will always be my best friend, his passing has left a void that cannot be filled. 'There was an unspoken loyalty that survived every argument, it was stronger than anything. Nothing was stronger than the love we had for each other.' Mr Walsh's intense training meant he had been sober for more than five months and he had just completed the first two weeks of his trip before his death. His five friends had arrived three days earlier and planned to celebrate his training camp with a chartered fishing trip. It is believed Mr Walsh, from Frankston in south-east Melbourne, was dragged underwater by strong currents before he drowned. Mr Walsh, who was due to return home this weekend, was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive, with tour conductors issuing a distress call for emergency services. Charleigh described her brother as 'very outgoing'. 'He was a bit of a s*** stirrer,' she said. 'He had his own personal slang. He'd come home and ask how your day was and if you said you'd had a bad day he'd ask you "are you loving it" over and over until you caved. 'He'd go to work on a Monday morning when the boys were all tired and he'd go around and say "are you loving it" to get under their skin.' A number of Mr Walsh's friends got 'forever loving it' tattooed on them in his memory. Charleigh said she was at work last week when she received the devastating news that her only sibling had died. 'I was at work on Tuesday and it was around 7pm. My parents had received a call from one of his friends that was with him,' she said. 'We're still waiting for his friends to get home to learn more about it. It doesn't feel real. I'm still in shock. 'The support we are receiving from family, friends and dozens of people we have never met has been helping us cope. We are so grateful for everyone.' A GoFundMe was set up to help Mr Walsh's family with funeral costs and other additional expenses. As of Tuesday morning it had raised just over $14,000 with the target set at $20,000. '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 page read.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Selfless': Aussie tradie remembered after tragic death in Thailand
An aspiring Australian Muay Thai boxer had been celebrating with friends after an intense training camp when he tragically drowned while swimming off a fishing charter boat in Thailand. Melbourne roof plumber Corey Walsh, 22, was swimming near the tourist island of Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, last Tuesday when he was dragged under the water. In an emotional interview with Mr Walsh's younger sister Charleigh described her brother as 'selfless and loyal', revealing he had been on a much-anticipated holiday with six of his closest friends. He had travelled there with one of the group members to complete intense training at the Rattachai Muay Thai camp, which they had been preparing for since January 1. His strict training regimen meant he had been completely sober for more than five months. Corey was due to spend four weeks in Thailand and had just completed the first two weeks of his trip before his tragic death. The other five friends had arrived just three days earlier and planned to celebrate his achievements with a chartered fishing trip. Charleigh said she had grown up 'side-by-side' with her older brother. 'We shared our whole childhood together. He was very caring and protective, as big brothers are,' she said. 'Corey would light up any room he walked into. He had a strong mindset and saw mistakes as growth. He will always be my best friend, his passing has left a void that cannot be filled, Charleigh said. 'There was an unspoken loyalty that survived every argument, it was stronger than anything. Nothing was stronger than the love we had for each other,' she added. Charleigh laughed as she recalled her brother as being 'outgoing, very outgoing.' 'He was a bit of a s**tstirrer,' she said. 'He had his own personal slang. He'd come home and ask how your day was and if you said you'd had a bad day he'd ask you 'are you loving it' over and over until you caved. 'He'd go to work on a Monday morning when the boys were all tired and he'd go around and say 'are you loving it' to get under their skin,' she chuckled. She revealed his friends had 'forever loving it' tattooed in Corey's memory. Charleigh recalled she was at work last week when she received the devastating news that her only sibling had died. 'I was at work on Tuesday and it was around 7pm. My parents had received a call from one of his friends that was with him.' They told the Walsh family that 'Corey and his friends were on a fishing charter off the coast of Koh Racha Yai. 'They were fishing on the boat and celebrating their trip when they stopped to have lunch and go for a snorkel.' Charleigh said the family was still waiting on confirmation surrounding the exact circumstances of his death. 'We're still waiting for his friends to get home to learn more about it,' she said. She told that his six friends had struggled to get flights home and were 'traumatised' by the ordeal. Charleigh said she had also been stuck in a state of numbness since receiving the tragic news. 'It doesn't feel real. I'm still in shock.' 'The support we are receiving from family, friends and dozens of people we have never met has been helping us cope. We are so grateful for everyone,' she said. Colleagues from Corey's work have set-up a GoFundMe that has so far raised over $14,000. 'We would like to help his family and show how much love he brought to this world,' they said in a heartbreaking statement. Corey was due to return home this weekend.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tourists Drown Within Days of Each Other in Thailand
Two Australian tourists died after drowning in Thailand within days of each other, according to reports. Corey Walsh, 22, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on May 6 when he was pulled by a strong current The body of a missing 41-year-old man, also from Australia, was discovered on May 10, drifting about 65 feet from the shoreline in PhuketAn Australian tourist has drowned in Thailand just days after another Aussie visiting the country died under similar circumstances, according to reports. The victim, a 41-year-old man, was reported missing by his wife in Phuket on Wednesday, May 7, Sky News Australia and reported. On Saturday, May 10, a lifeguard at Freedom Beach — a swimming area in Phuket — spotted a body drifting about 65 feet from the shoreline, according to the outlets. Authorities arrived to find the body of the man, who only wore black underpants when he was found, and retrieved him from the waters using ropes. In a statement to Asia Pacific Press, according to Police Lt. Col. Wiwat Chamnankit said they believe the currents were too strong for the man — who had traveled to Thailand on April 20 — to swim back to land. 'Tourists should not go in the sea during these conditions when there are strong waves, unless they are with an experienced guide,' Chamnankit said. Authorities notified the victim's family about the discovery of their loved one's body, the police official also said. His body was scheduled to be autopsied, and the cause of his death is under investigation, reported. The discovery of the 41-year-old man's body follows the drowning death of another Australian tourist in Thailand. Corey Walsh, 22, a plumber from Melbourne, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on Tuesday, May 6, when he was pulled by a strong current, according to The Age, 7 News Australia and Walsh was reportedly intoxicated before he went into the water. Rescuers pulled him out, and he was administered CPR. He was later taken to a hospital in Phuket, where he died. 'The victim had consumed a large amount of alcohol before entering the water. He was reportedly intoxicated and repeatedly jumped in and out of the sea before eventually drowning,' said Lt. Col. Kanen Somrak of Chalong Police Station, according to Somrak said there were no illegal substances at the scene, adding, 'Only empty alcohol beverage bottles were discovered.' In an interview with The Age, John Walsh, the victim's father, said his son and several friends were drinking and swimming prior to the tragedy. 'He was magnetic, people instantly adored him,' John Walsh said of Corey, who was a fan of Muay Thai (also known as Thai boxing). Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The family is awaiting to find out exactly what happened that led to their loved one's death, The Age reported. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help the victim's surviving relatives. As of Monday, May 12, nearly $10,000 has been raised. 'From a stranger to family to friends,' the organizer wrote in the fundraiser's description, '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 thankyou for bringing up this one of a kind gentleman.' PEOPLE contacted Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday, as well as the GoFundMe organizer for Corey's family. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tourists Drown Within Days of Each Other in Thailand
Two Australian tourists died after drowning in Thailand within days of each other, according to reports. Corey Walsh, 22, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on May 6 when he was pulled by a strong current The body of a missing 41-year-old man, also from Australia, was discovered on May 10, drifting about 65 feet from the shoreline in PhuketAn Australian tourist has drowned in Thailand just days after another Aussie visiting the country died under similar circumstances, according to reports. The victim, a 41-year-old man, was reported missing by his wife in Phuket on Wednesday, May 7, Sky News Australia and reported. On Saturday, May 10, a lifeguard at Freedom Beach — a swimming area in Phuket — spotted a body drifting about 65 feet from the shoreline, according to the outlets. Authorities arrived to find the body of the man, who only wore black underpants when he was found, and retrieved him from the waters using ropes. In a statement to Asia Pacific Press, according to Police Lt. Col. Wiwat Chamnankit said they believe the currents were too strong for the man — who had traveled to Thailand on April 20 — to swim back to land. 'Tourists should not go in the sea during these conditions when there are strong waves, unless they are with an experienced guide,' Chamnankit said. Authorities notified the victim's family about the discovery of their loved one's body, the police official also said. His body was scheduled to be autopsied, and the cause of his death is under investigation, reported. The discovery of the 41-year-old man's body follows the drowning death of another Australian tourist in Thailand. Corey Walsh, 22, a plumber from Melbourne, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on Tuesday, May 6, when he was pulled by a strong current, according to The Age, 7 News Australia and Walsh was reportedly intoxicated before he went into the water. Rescuers pulled him out, and he was administered CPR. He was later taken to a hospital in Phuket, where he died. 'The victim had consumed a large amount of alcohol before entering the water. He was reportedly intoxicated and repeatedly jumped in and out of the sea before eventually drowning,' said Lt. Col. Kanen Somrak of Chalong Police Station, according to Somrak said there were no illegal substances at the scene, adding, 'Only empty alcohol beverage bottles were discovered.' In an interview with The Age, John Walsh, the victim's father, said his son and several friends were drinking and swimming prior to the tragedy. 'He was magnetic, people instantly adored him,' John Walsh said of Corey, who was a fan of Muay Thai (also known as Thai boxing). Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The family is awaiting to find out exactly what happened that led to their loved one's death, The Age reported. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help the victim's surviving relatives. As of Monday, May 12, nearly $10,000 has been raised. 'From a stranger to family to friends,' the organizer wrote in the fundraiser's description, '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 thankyou for bringing up this one of a kind gentleman.' PEOPLE contacted Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday, as well as the GoFundMe organizer for Corey's family. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
An Aussie tourist was reported missing in Thailand… three days later a lifeguard made a grim discovery that has devastated his wife
An Aussie tourist who disappeared in Thailand has been found dead three days after he was reported missing. Anthony John Heathcote, 41, from Mount Gambier in South Australia, was discovered near Freedom Beach at Phuket, on Thailand 's west coast, on Saturday morning. He had been reported missing by his wife three days earlier after her failed to return from an outing. Police officers and rescue teams launched an official search for the Australian with a team of volunteers joining in. A chief lifeguard spotted his body drifting 20metres from the shore and alerted local authorities. Officials said the body showed no immediate signs of trauma and it is likely Mr Heathcote drowned. His body has been sent for a full autopsy at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Phuket authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Freedom Beach is a secluded spot known for its crystal-clear waters and is generally considered safe. The beach has limited access and relatively low tourist traffic compared to other beaches on the west coast. Officials have warned tourists to exercise caution while swimming off the shore especially during monsoon season. Mr Heathcote is the second Australian tourist to be found dead in Thailand in the past week after Melbourne roof plumber Corey Walsh, 22, drowned. Mr Walsh, who hailed from Frankston, was on a boat tour near Koh Racha Yai off the coast of Phuket when he dived into the sea while intoxicated on Tuesday. It is believed Mr Walsh was dragged underwater due to strong currents despite his efforts to stay afloat. The 22-year-old 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 Mr Walsh on the deck of the boat before rushing him to Chalong Hospital in Phuket where hospital staff pronounced him dead. A GoFundMe was set up to help the 22-year-old'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 anyone's 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.'
