Divers have recovered the body of missing British tourist Christina Reed, swept to her death as she swam in a fast flowing river.
Happier times: Christina Reed and Anthony Biddlecombe on their travels (Picture: SWNS)
Shillong, Jun 29 : The 25-year-old had not been seen since she was caught in a strong current while swimming in the swollen Umkynsan River, in north east India on Saturday.
Miss Reed’s body was identified by her boyfriend Anthony Biddlecombe and the owner of the lodge where they were staying.
‘We have also matched the remains with her photo on the passport,’ said Sunil Kumar Kataria, the policeman in charge of the operation.
The English language teacher and Mr Biddlecombe were believed to have been visiting Sohra, officially the wettest place on earth during India’s monsoon season, before going for a swim on Saturday.
Miss Reed jumped into the river after her 28-year-old lifeguard boyfriend and was dragged away by the current.
‘We tried our best to rescue her but we failed as she was swept away by the high current downstream,’ he said.
The demanding terrain and high waters had prevented divers from entering the river until yesterday. Police office Sunil Kumar Kataria said: ‘It is a hilly and very dangerous area. Water levels in the rivers have risen alarmingly due to heavy and torrential rains during last couple of days.
‘The boys attempted to pull her out but failed.’
Miss Reed, from Torquay, Devon, and Mr Biddlecombe, from Sandown on the Isle of Wight, had travelled extensively together throughout Thailand.
They had been in India for a two weeks after leaving Chiang Mai, where she had taught locals and businesses.
In a blog post, she described her philosophy in life as: ‘Never try, never know.’
The couple were travelling with friends in Meghalaya, known as the Scotland of the East owing to its craggy hills, cool temperatures and heavy rainfall. The Umkynsan River flows below the village of Laitkynsew and is about 40 miles from state capital Shillong.
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