Boy, 16, dies trying to save aunt falling to her death from waterfall during selfie
A teenager and his aunt have died after falling down a waterfall in a remote area of Brazil.
Mother-of-two Débora Mothé, 43, slipped while trying to take a selfie next to the top of the waterfall in Campos de Goytacazes, a few hours inland from Rio de Janeiro, and fell into the water last Sunday.
Her nephew, Romulo Lopes Cordeiro, tried to grab hold of her but lost his balance and fell in with her, according to relatives.
It’s believed the current pushed the pair down the waterfall, though it’s not yet clear whether they drowned or were killed by the fall.
Débora’s daughter Syndel told CNN Brazil: ‘My stepfather shouted to her to ‘hold on’, to try to go to where she was, but when he shouted “hold on”, Romulo thought he was supposed to hold her.
‘When he tried to hold on, he ended up falling too.’
A team of rescuers including 25 soldiers only found the pair’s bodies after searching for more than 30 hours.
Officials said efforts were hampered by dense, dark forest surrounding the waterfall and the lack of signal for communication.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Débora, a PE teacher and hairdresser, left behind two daughters.
Romulo’s school suspended classes for a day, adding in a statement: ‘Our community stands in solidarity with his family and friends at this time of grief. We count on everyone’s understanding.’
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