Pham Thi Tra My: An Account Of A Death Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Knowing she was close to death
She typed out a last, despairing text

In rural Ha Tinh, on north East Vietnam's coast,
They had scratched together £30,000
For her to find a better life in Britain

She wrote from her pitch black prison
Of the unit that would be her grave,
Texted her last will and testament.

"I'm sorry Mom. I love you so much!
I'm dying because I can't breath'

A 6,230 mile voyage, which ended
On an industrial estate
Close to the Thames Estuary
Her family remortgaged their home
To pay for her trip

The people smugglers did not allow her
To receive calls on her phone

The lorry driver contacted the ambulance service
At 1.40am after he found her body

A convoy of funeral directors' vehicles
Collected the bodies of39

Said Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills of Essex Police:
"The force will not be commenting on any speculation about the nationalities of those who have tragically lost their lives.''

Campaigners held candles during a minutes' silence
Outside the Home Office, London,

She had written her name and origin
It's important for the body
To be returned to the place of birth.