A man aged in his mid to late 30s drowned on Wednesday, December 14 when he tried to save a 13-year-old boy who was being sucked into a hole on a fringing reef, while swimming at Fotua Beach in Kala’au, Tongatapu.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said today Youth members of the LDS Church in Te'ekiu were at the beach for an end of the year camping and fishing trip, when the incident occured at around 5:10pm.

The victim from Te'ekiu is reported to have jumped in the sea when he noticed a boy was being sucked into the hole in the fringing reef, approximately 80-100 meters from land.

He managed to get a hold of him and tried to get them back over the reef. The current was too strong and they crashed into the reef rocks and he lost his grip the boy. They were both swept out to the open sea.

She said another 36-year-old man at the beach saw what happened and swam out to assist them, while others called for assistance to the Nukunuku Police district.

A local boat was dispatched to the scene and rescued the boy and the 36-year-old man, while the victim's body was recovered floating in the sea.

The name of the victim has not yet been released. "Police will complete enquiries and wait on the doctor's report, in order to arrange for an inquest." she said.

The Deputy Commissioner reminded people of the importance of keeping safe while out in the sea during the summer holidays.

"Beware of the tide, current and conditions."

She thanked Steve Burling and two friends from Ha’atafu for their assistance during the rescue and recovery of the deceased's body, and expressed their condolences to the family for their loss.