A young British tourist has been killed by a boat while snorkelling in Malaysia.
Joanna Stillwell, 23, was diving with her brother off the island of Redang when she was struck by the vessel.
The tragedy happened two weeks into a three-week holiday for Joanna and her family, who come from Guiseley in West Yorkshire.
Her father John Stillwell told Sky News: “She was a fantastic girl, intelligent with an incredible zest for life. She had an incredible sense of humour and was the light of our lives.”
“She was out snorkelling and finding turtles with her brother when she was hit by the boat. I’m not sure if it was a speedboat or a boat used to transfer people to the island.
“I was in my hotel with my wife Janet and was called to the scene by my son, who was informed that an accident had happened. I was literally two minutes away.
“When I arrived, they had her in the boat and I spent some time in the boat with her. I believe she died in the water.”
The incident is being investigated by Malaysian police, who are trying to find out if the boat strayed into waters set aside for swimmers and snorkellers.
