27-year-old Kishore Kumar Aravindan had reportedly been swimming with friends at the Omanawa Falls Lake on Sunday when he failed to resurface. His body was recovered the next day.
Local media reports that Aravindan was visiting the waterfall - just south of the North Island city of Tauranga - with two of his friends. The three students were taking pictures when the accident is said to have occurred. Kishore and his friend were swept away by the gushing waters. The third friend called the emergency services.
A rescue helicopter arrived half an hour later and rescued a young woman. She was treated at the Waikato Hospital.
Aravindan's body was found the next day.
SBS Hindi approached Kishore Aravindan’s friend who called the emergency services. He says he is devastated by the loss.
'Everything to us'
Aravindan’s family lives in the Indian city of Chennai. His father, Aravindan Viswanathan, told Indian Newslink, “I have lost the most precious possession in my life. Kishore was everything to us. He was a bright boy, and we had hoped that he would return home after completing his postgraduate (Masters) study at the University of Waikato and that we would all be together again. It has been a shock. My wife has not been able to recover since she heard the tragic news.”
Indian Newslink also reports that Aravindan’s family has decided to donate his organs before his body is repatriated home.
The Tamil Society of Waikato has been coordinating efforts with the Police to help the victims of this tragedy.
