By Linny Folau

71-year-old 'Anamalia Vea, the oldest survivor of the tsunami that wrecked Hihifo village and left nine dead in Niuatoputapu on September 30, is amazed that she came out of the churning waters alive.

Lying in Vaiola Hospital with an injured foot 'Anamalia has her family by her bedside, and her niece Haitelenisia Penitoni just couldn't believe that their elderly aunt is alive and is thankful that she is doing well.

'Anamalia recalled that she was at home in Hihifo making breakfast when an earthquake struck in the early morning. Her daughter-in-law who was six months pregnant was with her, while her adopted son was away in Tongatapu. Shortly afterwards she heard the sound of waves and then people started shouting that a tsunami was coming.

"I just ran out of the house together with my daughter-in-law together with other people as the waves were coming from behind us. Because I am old I was really slow and the next thing I knew I was being lifted off the ground and was underwater among the debris. I struggled up to get some air but the wave was just too strong."

'Ana said the amazing thing was after being thrown back and forth under the water and hitting every piece of debris that came her way she was then flung against a tree and was stuck in it.

"This is how I survived because then the waves stopped while I was holding to the tree. The next thing I knew I was being rescued and thank god my daughter-in-law also made it out alive and is doing well back home in Niuatoputapu."

Haitelenisia her niece was overjoyed. "It's just amazing and a miracle that she survived and we are just very happy," she said.

'Ana was flown to Tongatapu last Sunday onboard an LDS chartered flight so her injured foot could be treated. She feels well and talkative to the many visitors who visit her at Vaiola Hospital every day.