A Melbourne man who drowned while on holiday in Thailand is being remembered as a “one-of-a-kind friend” with a kind soul and “magnetic” personality.
Corey Walsh, a roof plumber in Melbourne’s east, was swimming near the island of Koi Racha Yai, south of Phuket, on Tuesday when he was pulled under by a strong current. He was unable to be revived after being pulled out.
As reported by The Age, his father John explained he had chartered a boat, along with seven friends, who were all drinking and swimming together before the tragedy unfolded.
The family is still waiting for answers about the exact circumstances of his death, per the publication.
“He was magnetic, people instantly adored him,” John said, explaining the 22-year-old had gone overseas for a two-week Muay Thai intensive in Thailand.
In a statement to 9News, the family thanked the many people who had reached out to them since the tragedy.
“Corey was a well-loved and magnetic individual,” the statement said.
“Everyone he engaged with was instantly drawn in, and as a family we have been overwhelmingly surprised by the amount of people who have reached out to us since the incident. Dozens of people we have never met.”
Walsh’s body was due to arrive home in Melbourne on Sunday evening.
A number of friends and loved ones have taken to social media to pay tribute to the “beautiful soul”, with one friend describing Walsh as a “genuine and outgoing person” who could “make everyone smile”.
“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,” they wrote on Facebook.
Another tribute remembered Walsh as someone who “lit up every room [he] walked into”.
“There was seriously not a time you didn’t have a smile on your face and the way you could bring everyone else’s mood up so quickly was insane. You were one of the most selfless people I know. Every single one of our memories, I will cherish and hold onto forever,” they said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to the family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” it said.
Lead image: Facebook
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