Melbourne gran dies in Thai surf

A MELBOURNE woman who died while holidaying at a beach in Thailand has been remembered as a ray of sunshine and a caring soul who dedicated her life to helping others.

Barbara Fistrovic, 65, and her husband, Ivan, 75, of Mill Park, were swimming at Kamala Beach on Phuket’s west coast on Sunday afternoon (local time) when they were swept away by powerful waves.

Lifeguards managed to pull the couple to shore and performed CPR. But while Mr Fistrovic was able to be revived, Mrs Fistrovic did not regain consciousness.

She was pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.

Lt Colonel Somnuek Damkhaew, of Kamala Police, said they were investigating the circumstances around the woman’s death but said it may have been a mix-up about the flags and where they were allowed to swim.

A spokeswoman for the family said Mrs Fistrovic had been a caring mother of two children, an inspiring grandmother and a second mother to all her nieces, nephews and other relatives.