Petra Nemcova clung to tree in Thailand for eight hours. [View All]

Model's partner lost

29dec04

AN international model was left with serious injuries last night -- and her British boyfriend was missing after they were swept away in Thailand.

Petra Nemcova, 25, was on a beach in Phuket when the wave hit, but managed to grab hold of a tree. She clung to it for eight hours despite shattering her hip, breaking other bones and damaging internal organs.

But there was no news of her boyfriend Simon Atlee, a London-based photographer who was inside their holiday bungalow. Atlee, 31, was engulfed by the wave and swept away.

Czech-born Nemcova has dated him for two years. Her New York publicist, Rob Shuter, said: "Petra is in hospital in deep shock and pain.

More: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11801411%255E663,00.html