An English tourist was killed after she was hit by a boat propeller while diving near Shari-La Resort at Pulau Perhentian Besar, near Besut in Terengganu this morning.

Madaline Jayne, 25, of Hereford, England, was killed while her friend, Simon James Rogers, 22, of Australia, was seriously injured in the 10.20am incident.

Besut police chief Supt Kamaruddin Mohd Zakaria said Jayne died while being taken for treatment by the boat operator involved in the mishap.

Jayne suffered serious injury on legs, buttocks and body, while Rogers was injured on both legs and abdomen.

Rogers was rushed to Besut District Hospital for treatment before being transferred to the University Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

'They were accidentally hit'

Kamaruddin said the incident occurred as boat operator Mohd Azwan Mohamad, 23, was passing the area, taking tourists to the island resort.

"The two victims and two other friends were diving outside the safe zone and were not wearing safety jackets. They were accidentally hit by Mohd Azwan," he said.

He said the body was sent to Besut District Hospital for post-mortem.

Jayne arrived in Malaysia on April 4 and stayed at Senja Bay Resort, Pulau Perhentian Besar, while Rogers was staying at Shari-La Resort.

Both had signed up for a snorkelling course on Pulau Perhentian Besar.

- Bernama