A TOUR guide has denied all responsibility for the deaths of three young
British backpackers saying they “ignored advice not to jump into the
whirlpool”.
Beth Anderson, 24, half-sister Izzy Squire, 19, and Christian Sloan, 24, fell
from a rock face into fast-flowing water.
Two were found at the bottom of a ravine. The third was found downstream from
the 70ft Datanla falls in South West Vietnam.
It was unclear whether they drowned or were killed by the plunge.
Guide Dang Van Sy said: “I told the tourists of some activities such as water
sliding, swimming and free jumping there.
“I asked them to wear life jackets and crash helmets and kept all of their
personal belongings in my waterproof bag.
“On reaching the stream, the tourists asked to slide down the water flows.”
The three backpackers slid down the waterfalls safely before making their way
to a cliff, Sy added.
He said: “After sliding down, the male tourist walked towards a cliff
near a dangerous whirlpool on the stream and the women were 1m behind him.
“I know that place is dangerous so I shouted to ask them to stay away
from that. But they ignored me, jumping down to the stream, still with their
life vests.
“Then the man walked back to the women who were being him, but he slipped
into the whirlpool and was immediately swept away, down to the waterfall.”
Sy said he immediately jumped into the stream and shouted at the two women to
stand up and try to withstand the flow of the water.
“But a moment later, the women, too, were swept away. I did not dare to
jump to save them as I would also be killed in the same manner.”
A fourth pal missed the day out with a stomach bug.
Police were quizzing the tour guide, who was said to have sneaked the trio
past a ticket barrier and let them climb without safety gear.
Search teams said all were wearing life jackets and appeared to have fallen
while trying to use a zip wire.
Visitors pay £80 for a day at the falls, which draw thousands of
thrill-seekers who abseil down cliffs and leap into lakes.
Vo Anh Tan, of Dalat Tourist Company — which manages the site — said operator
Dalat Passion Tours picked up the trio but did not buy them tickets, so they
were not provided with the proper equipment.
A post on travel website TripAdvisor claimed several people were injured on a
Dalat Passion canyoning trip just four weeks ago.
Beth was a fashion student at Middlesex University. Izzy recently left sixth
form at Silverdale School, Sheffield, and was working at a Starbucks.
Facebook photos show them riding elephants, ballooning and trekking in the
jungle days before the tragedy.
Beth’s mum Tracy had split from first husband Trevor Anderson. She then had
Izzy after marrying David Squire, from Sheffield.
Science graduate Christian, below, of Deal, Kent, had worked for DFDS Seaways
after leaving the Navy.
His family said: “Christian’s death is a very sad loss to us. He was very
popular and had many friends around the world. He lived for life.”
Pal James McGlashan, 24, was ill and stayed at their hostel. James’ dad Alan,
55, went to visit Christian’s parents Eugene, 65, and Lesley, 62, after
learning of the tragedy.
READ MORE:
Revealed:
Jimmy Savile dressed as Womble to rape boy of 10
He said: “They started in Thailand, then went to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
My son said there was a harness failure. That’s all I know.
“Christian’s parents are devastated. In every photo we’ve had of the lads,
they have been smiling and having a great time. You shouldn’t have to bury
your children.
“They are sensible lads. We wanted them to see the world. You can’t wrap them
in a bubble.
“The Foreign Office have arranged to transport James from Dalat with
Christian’s belongings to Ho Chi Minh City and arranged for Christian’s body
to be transferred to a funeral home.”
Christian’s pals also left touching Facebook tributes. Matthew Dales wrote:
“Never gonna be forgotten. A true legend. RIP xxx.”
Kelly Hutchings added: “You always made me laugh. Cannot begin to imagine how
your family are feeling.” Cops are probing. British Embassy officials are
counselling the families.