Brit boy, 12, dies after being ‘pulled from swimming pool’ at summer camp in Vietnam in third family tragedy in 6 years
A BRITISH boy has died in Vietnam in the third tragedy to hit his heartbroken family in just six years.
Otis Walder-Robb, 12, is understood to have been pulled from a swimming pool at a summer camp before dying in hospital on July 7.
The youngster, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, was staying in Vietnam with his dad Stephen Walder, stepmum Liz Robb and sister Betty, six, when he suffered a “tragic accident”, a family friend said.
Stephen is now suffering his third devastating loss in just six years as family and friends rally around to support him.
Otis’ brother Rueben died at the age of 10 three years ago after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Meanwhile Otis’ mum and Stephen’s partner Cathy Temple, 33, passed away in 2017 after a battle with breast cancer.
Rebecca Wegmann, a friend of the family, told YorkshireLive a group of children pulled Otis from a swimming pool at a summer camp where the family were working as volunteers.
He was rushed to hospital where he later died, and police are believed to be investigating.
The family are understood to now live in Pai, Thailand, and a GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover funeral and travel costs.
They are still in Vietnam and family friend Gemma Anjamanee Piya Tora Lewis – who set up the fundraiser – said they are waiting to fly back to Bangkok.
She wrote on the page: “Unfortunately the family and Otis still canot leave Vietnam until the family can receive money to book flights and pay for all the transfers, pending.
“There is grief and deep sorrow amidst the family’s hearts, and a growing community is in mourning.
“The family were temporarily visiting Vietnam due to working away at a children’s summer camp.
“We’re all desperate to get their 6-year-old daughter back to our community so she can be in a familiar environment with friends who dearly miss her.”
Otis has been described as “strong and fearless” in emotional tributes shared on social media.
One family friend wrote: “So very very sad and such a tragic, traumatic loss.
“I just can’t even begin to imagine the pain the whole family must be going through right now.”
Another posted: “There are no words to express how deeply heartbroken I am over the loss of this beautiful boy and the pain his family is going through right now.”
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.