A 16-year-old boy who tried to retrieve a rugby ball from a Nadera drain in Nasinu, was swept away by swift-flowing floodwaters.

His body was found later by the Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority joint team.

The incident occurred between 1 pm and 2pm at Nadera Ground opposite Duvula Road.

The boy was allegedly playing with his friends at the ground when the incident happened. He was sucked into a culvert by strong currents.

Bystanders told the Fiji Sun that the joint team went to the end of the culvert tunnel in Moala settlement and found the body.

A 14-year-old boy who assisted the Police and NFA officers during the search said when he approached the ground to play with his friends, he saw people in groups looking in the tunnel. He said the deceased was a good friend and he knew him as Sisko.

The boy said that he went with the team to find the deceased.

While walking through the jungle, he was stopped by the Police officer because the officer felt something inside the sand.

The boy said that when the officer dug the sand, he saw the body. The boy and the officers pulled out the body of the deceased and took it to the school, however, the officer informed him that they could not revive him.

He said that the deceased had cuts on his forehead and lips and he was covered in blood.

It is understood that the deceased was in Suva for holidays and attended school in Vanua Levu.

His family was in a state of shock and was too distraught to talk.

Neighbours said the mother of the deceased had been taken by the Police for questioning.

The Police in a statement said in light of the current weather situation, they were again urging parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children.

Police officers continue to warn parents to stop children from swimming in creeks and flooded drains.

They have warned parents of the consequences of leaving their children unsupervised.

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