A security officer’s wish to see his first-born child was shattered after he drowned while swimming with family and friends in the Korolevu River, Wainunu in Bua last Friday.

Abdul Hussein, 26, of Narere, Nasinu, left last Thursday to visit his seven-month pregnant wife and her family when the incident occurred.

The drowning death toll now stands at five compared to one for the same period last year.

Mr Hussein had accompanied his wife and a few others to the river.

The victim’s older brother, Abdhul Hassan, 36, said the news of their brother’s death came as a shock to their family.

“Abdhul didn’t know how to swim and we all know that,” he said.

“At this stage, we are still trying to come to terms with the death of our brother; our father had just passed away last year and now our brother’s life has been taken away too.”

Sister-in-law Neli Abbie said after several attempts at reviving Mr Hussein they took his body to the Daria Health Centre.

“He was a loving husband to my sister; humble and was a very easy person to talk too.

“When he came into our family, we all loved him because he was a well-mannered person,” she said.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the incident took place at Korolevu River in Wainunu.

“A post mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death as investigation continues,” Ms Naisoro said.

Edited by Filipe Naigulevu
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