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MERSING: A 21-year-old polytechnic student from Singapore died shortly after being rescued from a near-drowning experience when she fell off a boat at the Tioman island marine park on Wednesday.

Cherry Foo died while being taken to the mainland on a boat after doctors at the Tioman health clinic advised her to seek follow-up medical treatment at Mersing Hospital.

"She was accompanied by a doctor but died on the way to the mainland," said Mersing police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Nor Rasid.

Foo had been snorkelling with her friends off the island.

After returning to their boat, she fell off but was rescued by a friend.

One of her friends reported to police that Foo may have sustained internal chest injuries during the fall.

Foo and 43 other students and lecturers from Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic came to Tioman island on Tuesday.

Foo's family claimed her body yesterday for burial in Singapore.

-New Straits Times