PEMBA, Tanzania (20 Oct 2004) -- FIVE men have been arrested by police on the trail of a gang of pirates who shot scuba diving conservationist Grace Forster. A visit to the African paradise island of Pemba ended in terror for the 18-year-old conservationist when her group was attacked by a gang who came ashore on a boat as they set up camp. Grace (18), from Eastrea Road, Whittlesey, feared for her life after she was shot and other girls in the party were assaulted by the men. Today it was confirmed that five men from the Tanga region of Tanzania have been arrested with some of the goods stolen in the July attack. They are now out on bail after they were identified by witnesses during an identification parade and are due to appear in court later this month. Tanzanian police are still searching for a further seven men who were involved in the robbery. Grace has now made a full recovery, but she had a lucky escape when the bullet ripped through her body, narrowly missing her spine, and then entered the leg of Robert Scott. Today her father Ian welcomed the news of the arrests. He said: "Obviously, we would want to see these people caught. I wouldn't want other youngsters to suffer the same experience as Grace." "The physical wounds have been repaired. She is putting her life back together. But the mental scars could take a lot longer. "She doesn't want to say anything at the moment and she doesn't want to reveal her future plans." Asked if his daughter would consider such a trip again, Mr Forster said: "She has been abroad since. She went to Crete not long after she returned, just to get away from it all. | | Grace Forster "But as for going further than that, we're not in a position to say at the moment. She is just taking it step-by-step, day-by-day." In an e-mail sent to Grace's MP Malcolm Moss, the chief minister in Zanzibar, Tanzania, conveyed his sympathy for the ordeal undergone by Grace. He said: "The chief minister would like to assure you that this incident is not common in Zanzibar and all efforts will be made to make sure that the perpetrators face justice." Mr Moss he was pleased to learn that some of the robbers have been captured. He said: "It is encouraging news, but I hope that all those responsible are brought to justice." Scuba diver kept cool throughout ordeal at hands of robbers It was her love of nature and interest in ocean conservation that took scuba diver Grace Forster on a gap year adventure to Africa. Throughout her ordeal when pirates shot her and then ordered other young travellers to strip as they stole their possessions, Grace kept her cool. Although bleeding heavily and frightened she had the presence of mind to bury her scuba diving watch and passport in the sand. Her father Ian, runs the Gildenburgh Water Leisure Park at Whittlesey, where Grace learned to dive. SOURCE - Evening Telegraph |
