A YOUNG woman described as "the joy in our lives" has died in a water-rafting accident while travelling in South America.
Elisa Ly, 25, of South Croydon, drowned after falling into the River Vilcanota in Cusco, southeast Peru, after a strong wave hit her inflatable raft.
The former Wallington High School for Girls student was rafting with a guide and five other tourists at the time, Peruvian media reported.
Her family told the Advertiser: "Elisa was always full of love, life and energy. She was the joy in our lives and will always be in our hearts. We miss her dearly."
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said it was liaising with authorities locally over the incident, which took place shortly after 4.30pm local time on April 14.
Friends have also paid tribute to Elisa, a keen sportswoman who worked as a tax advisor for BDO LLP after graduating from Warwick University. Writing on social media, a colleague described her as "full of energy" and "a joy to be around".
The colleague added: "We both had a passion for fitness and were helping each other train for the London Marathon and Tough Mudder by going for our Friday morning runs around Regents Park. (...) I am grateful that I was able to get to know her."
Peruvian media reported that Miss Ly was rafting with a company named Peru Inka Land, and that the company will be investigated over the incident as it may have been working informally.
El Comercio newspaper reported that Miss Ly was helped onto the side of the river by her guide, Freddy Figueroa of the company, before being taken to a health centre where she died.
Neither the company nor Mr Figueroa had responded to requests for comment from the Advertiser via their Facebook pages as we went to press.
Miss Ly's body has been repatriated to England and her family have held a memorial service.
The Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Peru on April 14.
"We are liaising with the local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance."
