Locals found the body of an American tourist floating in the water off an island in Thailand after he apparently fell on sharp rocks and bled to death.
Fisherman found John Joseph Sheridan, 74, from Pennsylvania floating on the rocky part of the shore in Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday.
Lifeguards took at least two hours to pull the tourist’s body ashore as he was already decomposing after being estimated dead for seven days.
The pensioner was wearing a Heineken beer logo shirt and green shorts with a fanny pack that held his passport and 30,000 baht (£675) in cash.
He was taken to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy while the US embassy was informed of the incident.
Chalong Police Chief Colonel Karat Plaidueng said: ‘The body was found in the water among the rocks in front of a viewing deck, just north of Yanui beach.
‘We believe he fell from the viewing deck and hit the sharp rocks below before bleeding to death. CCTV around the area would be checked in an ongoing investigation.’
His body was lying face down, his face stuck in between the rocks, while his legs were folded.
Officers found a hotel key card and a South Korean residency card on his person.
Lieutenant Colonel Jarus Lempan, who was investigating the case said: ‘We have checked the CCTV on the route the tourist had walked past. The hotel said that the elderly tourist had been missing.
‘We will coordinate with the American embassy and proceed to the next steps.’ Officers said the US Embassy in Bangkok had been informed of John’s death so officials could contact the relatives.
