Drowning victim from Pea, named [1]
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 - 18:36. Updated on Thursday, December 30, 2021 - 06:48.
A man from Pea, Tali Fatafehi (39) drowned at White Sands Beach on Monday, 27 December, Tonga Police have confirmed today.
The victim was swimming with his son and a friend, when strong currents swept the three away from the beach, at around midday on the public holiday.
A Pentecostal minister swam out to rescue the victim's son, while a police officer who was at the beach swam out to the second swimmer who was swept outside of the reef. However, they lost sight of the third swimmer (the victim).
Police requested a boat from Ha'atafu Beach Resort for assistance.
Seti Chen, former CEO for Tonga Power, a crew member on the boat, told Matangi Tonga today, that they managed to rescue the Police officer and the second swimmer who were outside the reef. The swimmer had small swimming floats and had managed to get out of the strong current.
They continued to search for the victim, who also had a small float, and found him in the area. They carried him onto the boat and attempted to resuscitate him. The victim was taken to shore and on to Vaiola Hospital.
Police said that the victim had consumed a meal before swimming.
The 39-year-old is survived by his wife and five children.