A TEENAGER has drowned while trying to recreate an iconic popstar’s pose after the wooden boat he was in capsized.
A group of young K-Pop fans were rowing on the famous Nakhon Ratchasima reservoir in northeast Thailand on Sunday when the boat overturned.
Naphat Songsri, 19, drowned after the wooden boat he was in with his friends capsizedCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Naphat Songsri (back to camera) drowned while copying K-Pop star Lisa by posing in a lotus pondCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Rescue teams rushed to the pond after receiving a report at 6.30 pm local timeCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
The teens were reportedly trying to imitate viral photos by Lisa from South Korean girl group Blackpink.
Naphat Songsri, 19, ended up in the water after the teenagers pushed on one side of the boat in an effort to recreate the pose with the blooming lotus flowers in the background.
Two of the teenagers managed to swim back to shore, but tragically Naphat failed to surface from under the tangled mess of lotus plants that were scattered across the water.
Rescue teams rushed to the pond after receiving a report at 6.30pm local time.
Footage shows personnel, armed with diving equipment, wading into the pond to search for the missing youngster.
They found the lifeless Naphat at the bottom of the 6ft-deep reservoir, and carried his body back to the banks.
A paramedic from the rescue team said Naphat was possibly a weak swimmer or his legs became entangled in lotus stems, causing him to drown.
A police spokesman added: “The Chokchai district station expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased and reminds all villagers to be cautious of water accidents that can happen at any time.
“The rescue team has transported the body for examination to confirm the exact cause of death. After the process is complete, relatives will be contacted to collect the body for religious rites.”
The teenagers were reportedly mimicking the K-pop star’s tourism promotional posters, which were created in partnership with tourism chiefs to promote the Red Lotus Sea in Udon Thani province.
The campaign shows the aspiring rapper aboard a boat as she poses in the middle of blooming pink lotuses at daybreak – the time when the flowers open up with the morning sun.
It comes after a .
Alexis Vergos, 22, was reportedly taking selfies with his girlfriend on a mountain hike when the fatal accident occurred at the Na Muang 2 Waterfall.
The French tourist stepped back to get a better view of the scenery when he slipped off the side of the waterfall and plunged to his death.
The viral image the teens were trying to recreateCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Naphat failed to surface from under the tangled mess of lotus plants that were scattered across the waterCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
He fell from Na Muang 2 Waterfall on Koh Samui island, a popular tourist site known for its beauty – but also for its accidents.
Several tourists have died in the past few years after tumbling from its slippery paths.
As he fell onto rocks at the bottom of the waterfall, Vergos’ frantic partner called for help.
Rescue volunteers rushed to the scene and used climbing equipment to search for the 22-year-old.
Footage showed paramedics collecting the Frenchman’s corpse, which was found lodged between mossy boulders – he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local police major Chayut Tulachotikul said Vergos’ girlfriend was in “a state of deep distress” after the tragic accident.
He said: “The tourist and his girlfriend arrived on Koh Samui on Sunday.
“He was taking photos at the waterfall when he slipped, fell into the water, and struck rocks, dying at the scene.
“His girlfriend was present and was the person who alerted the police.
“She is currently in a state of deep distress.”
Naphat, left, was found dead at the bottom of the pondCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Rescue teams worked through the night to try save the K-Pop fanCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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