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Mum's Heartbreaking Text To Daughter Feared Dead In Essex Lorry Tragedy

Mum's Heartbreaking Text To Daughter Feared Dead In Essex Lorry Tragedy

Pham Thi Tra My is believed to be among the 39 people found dead in a refrigerated lorry trailer

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

The heartbroken parents of one of the people believed to be among the 39 migrants found dead in a lorry have revealed the devastating last text they sent to their daughter.

Nguyen Thi Phong believes her daughter Pham Thi Tra My, 26, was one of the people discovered in the refrigeration container in Grays, Essex early on Wednesday morning (23 October).

Pham Thi Tra My's parents believe she is among those dead in the back of a lorry.
Shutterstock

According to the Irish Mirror, Pham Thi Tra My had sent her mother messages saying she was suffocating late on Tuesday evening, hours before police came across the bodies on an industrial estate in Essex.

She wrote: "I'm sorry Dad and Mom. The way I went overseas was not successful. Mom, I love Dad and you so much. I'm dying because I can't breathe. Mom, I am so sorry, Mom."

Nguyen Thi Phong responded saying: "Where are you daughter? I'm worried, tired, I love you so much."

CNN reported that Pham Thi Tra My's family make about $400 (£311) a month between them, but they managed to scrape together the money to pay for their daughter to travel to the UK, where they hoped she would have a chance at a better life.

The heartbreaking message.
Shutterstock

It has not been confirmed whether Pham Thi Tra My was one of the victims in the truck, but her family said they are fearing the worst.

Pham Van Thin, Pham Thi Tra My's father, told CNN: "I've lost both my loved one and my money," explaining that the smugglers they paid didn't tell the family how they would transport their daughter to the UK.

The lorry that transported the bodies.
PA

Earlier today it emerged that lorry driver Maurice Robinson had been charged with manslaughter.

Essex Police issued a statement which reads: "The Crown Prosecution service has authorised Essex Police to charge a man in connection with the investigating the deaths of 39 people whose bodies were found in Grays on Wednesday.

"Maurice Robinson, 25, of Laurel Drive, Craigavon, Northern Ireland was arrested shortly after the discovery was made at the Waterglade Retail Park. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday 28 October charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

"Three other people have been arrested in connection with this investigation. A 38 year-old man and a 38 year-old woman from Warrington and a 48 year-old man from Northern Ireland, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and manslaughter remain in custody."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Family

Topics: UK News, Essex, News, UK