British woman killed by boat propeller while snorkelling in Malaysia

A British woman has died after being hit by a boat's propeller while snorkelling in Pulau Perhentian in Malaysia.

Madaline Cole, 25, from Hereford, was hit while allegedly swimming outside of the safety zone off Perhentian Bersar Island on 27 May.

According to the Bernama News Agency, Besut police chief, Supt Kamaruddin Mohd Zakaria, said she died while being taken for treatment by the boat operator involved in the accident.

Madaline had been snorkelling with an Australian friend, Simon James Rogers, 22, who was seriously hurt, but survived the incident.

While Simon suffered injuries to his legs and stomach, Madaline was hit on both legs, buttocks and on the torso.

According to ninemsn.com, boat operator Mohd Azwan Mohamad, 23, was passing through the area to pick up tourists wanting to visit the island resort.

Kamaruddin told the Bernama Agency: "The two victims and two other friends were diving outside the safe zone and were not wearing safety jackets. They were accidentally hit by Mohd Azwan."

Madaline had been staying at the Senja Bay Resort on Pulau Perhantian Besar, while Rogers had been staying at the Shari-La Resort on Pulau Perhantian Kecil.

The BBC reports that the Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance "at this difficult time".

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