An American tourist was found dead after falling on sharp rocks an bleeding to death on a Thai island.

John Joseph Sheridan, 74, from Pennsylvania, was found by a local fisherman as his body floated on the rocky part of the shore in Windmill Viewpoint in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday July 27 morning.

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 GBP) in cash.

He was taken to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy while the U.S. 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.'

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.

His body was lying face down, his face stuck in between the rocks and his legs folded, forming the shape of the number four. There were worms all over the man's body, his skin was swelling, and bones were visible.

Officers also found a hotel key card and a South Korean alien registration card.

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 U.S. Embassy in Bangkok had been informed of John's death so officials could contact the relatives.