Grieving parents of two Brit sisters who died while on dream round-the-world backpacking trip vow to find out the truth about their deaths
Beth Anderson, 24, and Izzy Squire, 19, were travelling in South East Asia when they drowned near a waterfall in Vietnam
THE GRIEVING parents of two British sisters who died while on a dream round-the-world backpacking trip have vowed to find out the truth about their deaths.
Beth Anderson, 24, and Izzy Squire, 19, were travelling in South East Asia when they drowned in fast-moving water near a waterfall in Vietnam.
Their bodies were found downstream at the Datanla waterfall - a popular tourist spot in the Da Lat region - alongside their friend 25-year-old Christian Sloan, on February 26, 2016.
Parents David Squire and Tracy Dodd claim reports about the tragedy were "contradictory" and now exactly a year on from their deaths, are desperate to get answers.
At the time of the incident it was suggested that the women were taking part in a dangerous activity such as zip-lining, or had wandered off with an unauthorised guide.
However, Tracy, who was mum to both girls, and David, who was step-dad to Beth and dad to Izzy, say their girls were sensible and would not have taken risks.
Meanwhile, new information received by South Yorkshire Police suggests claims the three were not with a qualified guide were false.
David, who runs digital design agency, DESQ, with Tracy in Sheffield, South Yorks., said: "Information has come to light that contradicts the initial media reports made about the events.
"They in turn were quite contradictory at the time. None of that, it appears, actually happened."
David, 50, described the area as "where Center Parcs meets Lake Windemere".
Tracy, 54, said: "They went on an official tour with an organised company. They hadn't gone off and done something they shouldn't have done.
"The rubbish that they had gone off where they shouldn't have done and off the guided path just wasn't true."
David added: "The area is considered to be touristy and almost tame. If people want to get to the wilderness it's not the place to go."
The family of Christian, from Deal, Kent have also revealed British police are continuing to make progress with their son's case, but it could take three years to conclude their findings.
In a statement his parents, Eugene and Lesley Sloan, said "All we can really say at the moment is that the inquest on what happened to Christian and his two companions, Izzy and Beth, by South Yorkshire Police continues to make steady progress, with extra officers recently being assigned to the case.
"However, due to the closed and secretive environment that prevails in Vietnam, the coroner has intimated it could take up to three years to conclude the findings."
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Of the past 12 months of turmoil and the first year anniversary, Tracy said the grieving for her daughters has never stopped.
She said: "This month has been like a countdown. It's strange, because Sunday is the date, but for me it will be Friday, because I was getting ready for work when I got a phone call.
"Why should it be any more significant than any other day - because they are still not here. They won't be here on Saturday and they won't be here on Monday."
The circumstances have been difficult for all of the family, including Tracy's older daughter, 26-year-old Molly, who lives in London and had booked a ticket to meet her sisters in Vietnam at a later date.
David said: "It's very different for her. She's the oldest and suddenly, at the age of 26, she has become an only child.
"As we said a year ago, two bright lights have gone out. Beth and Izzy were loved, cherished and adored by all their family and friends.
"Our lives and the lives of anyone who met them or got know them has been impacted forever.
"Talented, energetic, creative and compassionate, they both had so much to give and had given so much already in their short lives."
Now David and Tracy are determined to find out what happened to the half-sisters and the police are acting on behalf of South Yorkshire Coroners' Office, which is trying to get enough information to hold an inquest.
However, the coroner has to deal with a chain that includes the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the National Crime Agency and finally the Vietnamese authorities.
Of the investigation and how they have been kept up-to-date, David said: "We had an interim report from the Vietnamese authorities after about four weeks.
"They sent some photos that were just from the papers.
"Since then we have not heard anything from Vietnam. That's the frustrating thing and that has been the frustrating thing for South Yorkshire Police as well."
David believes there is a misconception that at some point you get over it and move on.
He said: "I rarely remember them in a way that doesn't upset me. lt's very difficult to see them as a memory. We are not at the 'cherish the memories' point.
"A year seems like a long time but it also doesn't at all. It's a disbelief of the permanence of this which is still there from day one."
The family are currently taking comfort in new information coming forward from the investigation.
David said: "We will find out. It's evident from the information that the police are uncovering."
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Whittaker, who is overseeing the investigation into Beth and Izzy's deaths, said: "South Yorkshire Police are currently working to gather as much information as possible that will inform and assist Her Majesty's coroner in a further coroner's inquest.
"This is a tragic incident that has seen the loss of three young lives in terrible circumstances.
"Both families concerned continue to receive support from dedicated officers during this incredibly difficult time.
"Alongside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the National Crime Agency, who both have staff in the far east, we will continue to assist the authorities in Vietnam in whatever way we can, to gather information which could assist the coroner."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We continue to provide support to the families of three British people following their deaths near Da Lat, Vietnam in February 2016."
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