Friends’ grief for Scot who drowned on Bali holiday
Family wedding hit by tragedy
A SCOT who died in a swimming accident in Bali has been described as an ‘extremely popular, intelligent and muchloved’ man.
Vishal Chopra is believed to have got into difficulties while visiting a beach on the Indonesian island with family and friends on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the efforts of surfers who came to his aid, the 42-year-old died. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. According to friends, Mr Chopra, an accountant from Glasgow’s West End, had been in Bali to attend his nephew’s wedding.
A group of around 100 family and friends had travelled to the island for the celebrations. Close family friend Munish Sharma was due to fly out to Bali when he heard the tragic news.
He said: ‘Vishal was an absolutely fabulous human being, one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.
‘His family meant everything to him and we are all in pieces at this tragedy. The world has lost an absolute gem.’
Relatives said that Mr Chopra was a keen swimmer and had not been drinking before the accident.
It is understood they are now making arrangements for his body to be brought back to Scotland.
Mr Sharma added: ‘He didn’t take risks or mess about so it makes a freak
‘The world is truly a sadder place’
accident like this all the harder to take.’
They had planned to play golf on the holiday, one of Mr Chopra’s hobbies. Another friend and colleague of Mr Chopra’s said their golfing group would never be the same.
Adrian Filby said: ‘I’ve known Vish for over 20 years, I can’t believe the news. I can’t process it.
‘Every now and then you lose someone special in your life. When they are young and full of life with so much to give and so much of life yet to live, it makes it especially hard.
‘The thought of our wee group of friends not seeing him again, never going away on one of our legendary golfing trips, is unbearable.
‘Today my family, my golfing buddies and I lost a brother. He was the fun, the core and the glue that held us together.’
Another friend Austin Barrett said: ‘Vish had an aura, a serenity even, that you just don’t see very often. He was intelligent, funny and honourable, the best guy to be around. I will remember him always, smiling and laughing.’
While Gregor Cope said: ‘I feel privileged to have considered Vishal Chopra a very good friend.
‘The world truly is a sadder place due to a tragic accident.’
Mr Chopra’s family could not be reached for comment last night.
Last night, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed that they were aware of the death.
A spokesman said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British national who has sadly died in Bali and have provided bereavement information at this difficult time.’