Police in Southern Province have confirmed the death of an American tourist who drowned during a rafting expedition on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls.
Southern Province Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo said the victim, identified as Patrick Lawrence, 68, died after the raft he was navigating capsized at Rapid Number 7 last evening.
Mr Namalongo confirmed the death of 68-year-old Patrick Lawrence in a statement to the media in Livingstone this morning.
“We can confirm that Mr Lawrence, an American national, tragically drowned during a rafting activity on the Zambezi River.
Mr Namalongo said the American tourist died when the raft he was steering struck a strong wave and flipped over.
He said the accident happened around 22:30 hours and was reported by Mr Obey Hamuchemba, 47, Director at Nyami Nyami Rafting Company, who was overseeing the activity.
Investigations indicate that Mr Lawrence was leading a team of ten paddlers when the raft overturned.
Mr Namalongo however confirmed the safety of the other paddlers who were in the company of the now deceased.
The South Police Chief says the body of Mr Lawrence was later retrieved and rushed to Mukuni Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
