A 54-year-old man fell from a boat after collapsing from a suspected heart failure while travelling from 'Uiha to Pangai, on the main island of Lifuka, on March 18 for a meeting of the Church of Tonga Hou’eiki.

Police in Ha’apai confirmed this afternoon the victim was one of the passengers of the small congregation who left 'Uiha. The passenger collapsed at around 6:00pm.

The deceased is said to have been sitting at the back of the small boat near the engine. Others saw him collapse and fall into the sea before they pulled him back onto the boat.

He was rushed to Niu'ui Hospital where he was confirmed to have passed away. 

Report from the hospital said he died from a suspected heart failure, stated the police.