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Briton in Thai tragedy back home Briton in Thai tragedy back home
(about 2 hours later)
A British woman whose boyfriend died in a flash flood in Thailand has arrived back in the UK.A British woman whose boyfriend died in a flash flood in Thailand has arrived back in the UK.
Helena Carroll, 21, from Solihull, clung to a rock ledge but John Cullen, 24, decided to enter the water.Helena Carroll, 21, from Solihull, clung to a rock ledge but John Cullen, 24, decided to enter the water.
He was one of eight people killed when water washed away a party of tourists as they explored a cave in the Khao Sok national park on Saturday.He was one of eight people killed when water washed away a party of tourists as they explored a cave in the Khao Sok national park on Saturday.
Miss Carroll has flown into Heathrow Airport from Bangkok and was met by her father, John, it is understood. Miss Carroll has flown into Heathrow Airport from Bangkok and was thought to have been met by her father.
An airport spokesman said Miss Carroll was led through a side exit, away from the main arrivals area at Terminal 3, to avoid unwanted press attention. I sung to myself and just prayed and prayed that someone would come and save me Helena Carroll
I came up and was trying to breathe because I'd been under the water so long Survivor Helena Carroll
The group had been exploring the caves when heavy rainfall caused flash floods, which sent water surging into the cave.The group had been exploring the caves when heavy rainfall caused flash floods, which sent water surging into the cave.
On Monday Miss Carroll described the moment her boyfriend was swept to his death. In a BBC interview Miss Carroll said: "I turned around and I just saw this wave - all this water just coming.
"He said 'I love you' and then just let go. And I didn't see him. The water was just so strong. And it was just rising and rising," she said. "John turned around to me. He goes 'I've seen this on the telly. We're gonna die'.
"One minute I was in what I thought was the most beautiful place in the world. The next thing there is death all around me." She said they climbed "for a little bit" but then John got back in the water to try and get some help.
Miss Carroll was alone in the cave for hours before she was rescued "He's just said he loves me and he just let go and he (was).. just gone," she added.
She remained in the cave for hours before rescuers eventually found her. Miss Carroll was alone in the cave for 16 hours
Miss Carroll climbed further up to a ledge and waited for 16 hours in the dark before being rescued.
She said: "I sung to myself and just prayed and prayed that someone would come and save me."
District official Sitichai Thaicharoen said Miss Carroll was rescued on Sunday after she was found clinging to the cave's roof.District official Sitichai Thaicharoen said Miss Carroll was rescued on Sunday after she was found clinging to the cave's roof.
She received treatment in a Thai hospital.She received treatment in a Thai hospital.
The couple, both from the Midlands, were one month into a 12-month trip overseas when they were caught up in the floods.The couple, both from the Midlands, were one month into a 12-month trip overseas when they were caught up in the floods.
On Monday, Stephen Cullen praised his brother's "brave and courageous actions". According to police Lieutenant Colonel Pichan Kanayasiri, the heavy rainfall caused flash floods.
Speaking on behalf of the family, he said John died "trying to do the right thing" and had made them very proud.
John was a "bright, passionate young man who embraced life" and he and Helena were "very much in love", he said.
'Trapped'
According to police Lieutenant Colonel Pichan Kanayasiri, the heavy rainfall caused flash floods, which sent water surging into the cave situated close to a waterfall.
"The tourists were inside the cave and didn't know what was happening outside. They were trapped inside the cave," Lt Col Pichan told AFP.
Among the eight dead were a 10-year-old German boy and four Swiss nationals.Among the eight dead were a 10-year-old German boy and four Swiss nationals.
A senior Thai government official was due to travel to the Surat Thani province on Sunday to begin an investigation into the incident, the Bangkok Post reported.
Chalermsak Wanichsombat, director-general of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department told the paper officials at the park had warned tourists not to travel because of heavy downpours in the area.