A brave teenager tragically drowned at a Scottish beauty spot while trying to rescue his friends from the rapid currents around a waterfall, an inquest has heard.
Despite being a strong swimmer Ali Ahmed, 19, was pulled beneath the water while swimming at Lower Bruar Falls, near Blair Atholl, on July 13 this year.
Poplar Coroner’s Court heard Ali, a part-time fast food worker from East Ham in east London, had been trying to help a struggling friend before strong currents pulled him into a cave area near the waterfall.
Friends then tried desperately to save him before he disappeared into a deep pool inside the cave and drowned.
His friend, Zein Shivli Khalifa, 19, told the inquest they were with a group of eight others on their first friends’ holiday when the tragedy happened.
The inquest heard Ali’s body was returned to London and identified by his sister, Regea Begum, on July 18.
Coroner Mary Hassell said: “I have no hesitation in saying that was an accident.”
