A family of four, including three young children, died on Thursday evening after a boat sank during a trip to pick water lillies in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district.

The family – Siv Ry, 42, his son Ry Phirum, aged five, and his nieces Moni Lica, aged two, and Dy Ya, aged seven  – were travelling in boat to pick water lillies in a river in Trapaing Chor commune.

The family stood up, officials said, causing the boat to destabilise and sink.

Trapaing Chor commune chief Tep Naem said yesterday an eight-year-old boy travelling with the group had  survived the accident because he could swim.

“The man [Siv Ry] could swim, but maybe he tried to help his son and nieces [who could not], so that’s why he also died,”  Tep Naem said.

He noted that since 2009, eight people had drowned in the river.

Tep Naem intends to inform villagers to be careful when they go fishing or picking water lillies in the area.

“I will tell the villagers to be careful …they can die if they are careless or they cannot swim,” he said.