one of my fears when you go out there.. please dont let this happen to you...
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331950/Madaline-Cole-First-picture-British-woman-25-died-struck-boats-propellers-snorkelling-Malaysia-just-qualified-diving-instructor.html


Woman, 25, who died after being struck by boat propeller while snorkelling in Malaysia had just qualified as a diving instructor By RICHARD SHEARS

A young British woman who died from severe injuries after being struck by a boat's propellers while on holiday in Malaysia had just qualified as a diving instructor.

Madaline Cole, 25, from Hereford, had been snorkelling with an Australian friend when she was hit by the boat off Pulau Perhentian Island, in the South China Sea.

Police said she had received severe injuries to her body, legs and buttocks. She died before reaching hospital.

Madaline, known as 'Maddy', was the daughter of Bob Cole, 59, a former Royal Engineer who served in the SAS. Friends of the family, who live in Bodenham, near Hereford, said Mr Cole, who now runs security firm Minimal Risk, was 'devastated.' One said: 'Bob doted on Maddy and is understandably devastated by her death.

'She knew the risks of diving but was always very professional in her preparations and highly skilled in what she did.

'She had just qualified as an instructor and was looking forward to a wonderful career exploring the world's seas.'

On February 3 this year Maddy expressed her delight on Facebook when she qualified as a scuba instructor.

She said: 'After the most stressful 3 days ever- FINALLY we are Open Water Scuba Instructors!!

. . .

Police Chief Superintendt Kamaruddin Mohammed Zakaria told Malaysia's Bernama news agency that the incident happened as boat operator Mohammed Azwan Mohamad, 23, was passing through the area to bring tourists to the popular island resort.

'The two victims and two other friends were diving outside the safe zone and were not wearing safety jackets,' he said. 'They were accidentally hit by Mohammed Azwan.'

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are aware of the death of a British national in Malaysia on May 27. 'We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.'

Miss Cole arrived in Malaysia on April 4 and had been staying at the Senja Bay Resort, while Mr Rogers had booked in at the Shari-La Resort.

The Perhentians, lying 10 miles off the north eastern coast of West Malaysia and some 40 miles south of the Thai border, are made up of two main islands - Penhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Miss Cole was staying on Perhentian Besar, which, like its sister island, is surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs rich with exotic fish.

It is not the first time that a young British female tourist has died in a boating accident while snorkeling in Malaysia. In July 2004, Joanna Stillwell, 23, who was on a family holiday, was killed when she was struck by a dive boat while swimming with her 18-year-old brother Nicholas, who was not injured.

That fatality occurred near the island of Redang, off the east coast of Malaysia. According to police at the time, Miss Stillwell had ventured out of a designated snorkelling area and into a channel used by boats.