British mother dies while snorkelling in Maldives during 30th wedding anniversary trip
A British mother has died while snorkelling in the Maldives during a trip for her 30th wedding anniversary.
Pamela Davies, 57, was enjoying the dream holiday with her husband Martin Davies when disaster struck.
The pair were snorkelling and swimming with turtles off the coast of the beach when she died. The exact circumstances of the incident are unknown.
Her devastated husband shared an emotional tribute to his late wife a week after the disaster, calling her ‘the most wonderful wife any man could ask for’, adding that she would always be the ‘love of his life’.
Explaining what happened in a Facebook post, he continued: ‘We had been snorkelling together off the beach in front of the hotel in perfect conditions – no waves, swell, wind or anything that would make you think that it was anything other than idyllic.
‘Pam had always wanted to swim with turtles and that is what she was doing when tragedy struck less than a stone’s throw from the beach.’
Martin continued by thanking those who had offered their support to him and their two sons, Lloyd and Morgan.
Pamela Davies, 57, was enjoying the dream holiday with her husband Martin Davies when disaster struck
Pamela was from Tenby, Wales, and was described by the Tenby Observer, where she previously worked, as ‘a cherished member’ of its advertising department
‘Thank you for the love and support – my front door is open,’ he added.
Pamela’s son Lloyd also shared a tribute online, writing: ‘Mum, I don’t know how to write this or how to process any of it, I haven’t got the words right now and I’m not sure I ever will. All I know is I will love you and miss you for the rest of my life.’
Pamela was from Tenby, Wales, and was described by the Tenby Observer, where she previously worked, as ‘a cherished member’ of its advertising department.
The paper said she was well known in the local community for organising and taking part in numerous agricultural and equestrian events around Tenby.
News of her death has ‘devastated the local community’, with many paying tribute to her on social media.
Paul Evans, the newspaper’s content editor revealed that the ‘devastating news’ had left everyone at the publication ‘in shock’.
He said: ‘Pam was a lovely lady, and well-thought of amongst her colleagues at the Observer.’
Mr Evans added that she ‘was always good company’ and ‘very easy to get on with’.
Mark O’Reilly, the regional editor, also paid tribute saying: ‘I will miss her infectious laugh and glint of mischief in her eye.’
The Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting the family of a woman who had died in the Maldives.
Pamela’s body has been repatriated back to the UK and an inquest into her death is due to be opened soon.