Back to school without their friend after Narewa River drowning

The start of the school year will not be the same for students of Ratu Navula College following the drowning death of their friend.

Sixteen-year-old Malakai Tubea, died on Thursday morning after drowning while swimming in the Narewa River.

Police said Tubea was swimming with friends when the incident occurred.

“His friends managed to pull him out of the water, however efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful,” Police said.

“He was later pronounced dead at Nadi Hospital.”

Tubea had been living with his aunt in Qeleloa to attend school and was an active member of her church.

On Thursday, he joined a group of boys from the church to help clean a riverbank at a church member’s home in Narewa Village.

A villager said the group planned to swim across the river to clean the opposite bank but were advised to hold on to a banana trunk because the current was strong.

Tubea reportedly chose not to use the banana trunk and is believed to have been overwhelmed by the current.

Another villager said some of the boys initially thought Tubea was joking when he called out for help, as he was known to be playful.

Concern grew when he could no longer be seen, prompting the others to jump into the river to search for him.

One of the boys later spotted Tubea underwater and pulled him out, but efforts by villagers to revive him were unsuccessful.

Tubea’s best friend, Radike Samu of Narewa Village, described him as quiet and reserved.

“He doesn’t speak much and always keeps to himself. If he needs anything at school, I will always be there to help. I miss him,” Samu said.

Tubea played flanker in the school’s Under-16 rugby team.

“He was a strong and skilful flanker on the rugby field,” a friend said.

Another friend, Juta Erenavula, said this year would not be the same without Tubea.

“We couldn’t believe it was really happening. It was very shocking to experience this before school starts. We miss our friend,” they said.

Police said Tubea is believed to be the country’s latest drowning victim. Investigations into the incident are continuing.