Reverend drowns at sea near Kotu, Ha'apai [1]
Tuesday, December 22, 2020 - 21:42
An inquest this week has confirmed that Rev. Sila ‘Ahoafi (49) drowned, after his body was recovered at sea in Kotu, Hapa'ai, on Friday morning December 18 .
He disappeared while out fishing on a small boat, with his nine-year-old son, on the previous day. The son survived.
Tonga Police said they had received information that the deceased and his son went out fishing on Thursday, December 17 and on that evening a wave reportedly hit and overturned their boat.
The son managed to get hold of the boat, while his father disappared at sea. Shortly after, a nearby fishing boat rescued the son, who reported the incident.
A search was then carried out by local boats and the body was found, at around 9:00am on December 18.
The deceased from Ha'avakatolo in Tongatapu was serving as a Reverend of the Free Wesleyan Church on the outer island of Kotu.