TRAGIC END

Tourist, 22, Plunges to His Death While Taking Waterfall Selfie

Alexis Vergos, 22, died at Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui, Thailand.

A sightseeing trip to a popular Thai island ended in tragedy after a tourist slipped and fell to his death while taking photographs at a waterfall, according to local authorities and news reports. Police said the man was visiting the Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui when the fatal fall occurred. Local police Major Chayut Tulachotikul said the tourist “was taking photos at the waterfall when he slipped, fell into the water, and struck rocks, dying at the scene.” The victim was identified as Alexis Vergos, 22, a French national and amateur soccer player who was traveling with his girlfriend. Investigators said he had climbed onto a rock to take pictures with his partner and stepped backwards before losing his footing and plunging down the side of the waterfall. Local officials, rescue volunteers, and police later recovered his body in an operation that took about three hours because of the difficult terrain. Authorities said the body was found on the second tier of the waterfall. Vergos’ girlfriend told police they had just finished taking photos together when he slipped and fell. Thai news reports said the woman also slipped but survived by grabbing onto a branch.