A French tourist plunged 260 feet to his death in Thailand while attempting to snap a photo at the top of the same waterfall where a different selfie-seeker suffered a fatal fall over the summer.
Bastien Palmier was visiting the Na Mueang 2 waterfall on the tropical island of Koh Samu when the deadly incident occurred. He’d been vacationing with his friend, Thomas Mechin, and the pair opted to stop by the famous tourist location, well-known for its white sand beaches.
Authorities told the Independent that the area is roped off and that there is a clear sign warning visitors about the precarious perch – but Palmier was undeterred.
Mechin told police that he had “warned Palmier to stay, but he didn’t listen.”
Lt. Phuvadol Viriyavarangkul advised tourists against entering prohibited areas “as the park officers have closed it off for the safety of visitors.”
“We believe that this death was an accident caused by the tourist violating the restricted area,” he added. “His friend told us that the victim wanted to take a selfie at the waterfall, so he crossed over the barrier.”
The waterfall’s slippery and steep terrain made it difficult for rescue workers to retrieve the body – it took them hours, Viriyavarangkul said.
Palmier’s tragic passing is only the latest death in a long list of cases of death resulting from a person trying to take a photo.
In July, a 33-year-old tourist from Spain – identified as David Rocamundi Conesa – also died after a fall from the top of the Na Mueang 2 waterfall. He too was trying to snap a selfie.
According to a study published in India’s Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, nearly 300 people between October 2011 and November 2017 have died while attempting to take picture of themselves.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS