Family 'baffled' by drowning death of law student off Perth beach

The family of a 28-year-old law student who drowned at Perth’s Trigg Beach have said they are “baffled” by her death.

Cathy Bwalya, who was studying law in Perth, was at the beach for a barbecue lunch with relatives yesterday afternoon.

She went for a swim with a friend  but something went wrong and her family had to watch in horror as she was dragged from the water by life savers.

After an hour of first aid she was rushed to hospital, but to no avail.

Her husband, Chris Chkwanda, was one of the shocked onlookers.

Ms Bwalya has been described as a strong swimmer, who never struggled in the water.
The Zambia-born woman has been swimming in a no-swim zone, meaning the area is not patrolled by surf life savers.

When her mother, who still resides in Zambia, was told of the news, she collapsed and had to be taken to hospital.

Cathy’s brother-in-law Vincent Chikwanda said the family was trying to raise money to send Ms Bwalya home for a final farewell.

“We are just trying to raise enough money so we can get the body back there to Zambia so her mother can mourn,” he said.

Donations can be made here.