British survivor dies in crash

A British man who had a lucky escape from the tsunami tragedy died days later in a road smash, it emerged today.

Yanik Alvarez, 38, had been living in Phuket but took a trip to Singapore the day before the giant wave devastated the resort.

He returned to his rented flat the next day to find it had been completelydestroyed and hurriedly sent a text message to his family in Wiltshire to let them know he was safe.

But nine days later Mr Alvarez, a professional diver from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, was involved in a crash between a car and motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries.

Family friend Huw Parry said: "It's a tragedy he should survive the tsunami only for this to happen. He was the life and soul of the party."

Mr Alvarez's family are arranging for his body to be flown back home.