A SIX-YEAR-OLD Egyptian girl drowned at Ton Pariwat waterfall in Phang Nga province after slipping off a small concrete bridge while posing for photos this afternoon (July 26), TV Channel 7 and Matichon newspaper said.
Mr. Uthen SiriPhuwadol, head of Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary where this waterfall, locally called Namtok Song Phraek, is located quickly sent rescuers on rafts to search for the child.
However, as the rescuers could not go down to the waterfall’s lower level, a drop of over 100 metres, another team went there to search for her.
They finally found her body stuck between a large log and some rocks with her parents crying inconsolably as the body was taken to Phang Nga Hospital for an autopsy.
Uthen said the deceased girl had come here with her parents and after rafting and going on an elephant trek as part of a private tour programme, they stopped at this waterfall with the tour guide being there with them.
The girl had stood on the concrete bridge with a metal rail on one side and the waterfall in the background for her mother to take photos. However she slipped and was swept away by the strong currents.
One of the tourists in this party had managed to grab the girl’s arm but unfortunately she still slipped and fell into the waterfall.
He added that from now on tour guides will be instructed to take extra precaution especially with children, the elderly and disabled. Should it rain heavily and waterfall starts raging it will be closed to prevent accidents.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Rescuers searching for the drowned Egyptian girl. Photo: Matichon
Front Page: The spot where the six-year-old girl slipped into the waterfall. Photo: TV Channel 7
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