American backpacker breaks back fleeing Thai sex attack and falling down 45m cliff

American backpacker breaks back fleeing Thai sex attack and falling down 45m cliff

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11705142

A lone female American backpacker has described the horrific moment she broke her back in a 45m fall down a cliff while fleeing a sex attacker in Thailand.

Hannah Gavios, 23, got lost on pitch-black Railay Beach in the resort of Krabi and went into a tourist shop asking for help back to her hotel.

A worker offered to show her the way but instead led her into the jungle where they started climbing a mountain.

Gavios, who was still tired after arriving in Thailand the day before, innocently followed him before realising she was in danger.

The man pinned her down and tried to rip off her clothes – but Gavios bravely fought back and bit off part of his ear.

She then fled but blindly ran off the edge of a cliff in the darkness.

Gavios fractured her spine and smashed her head on the way down before she landed crippled at the bottom of the cliff.