Kamenieli Varo, a father of five, is feared to be the latest victim of drowning in New South Wales after allegedly succumbing in the Murrumbidgee River, close to Yanco, on Sunday.
NSW Police received a report around 5:15 PM on November 3 that a 32-year-old man was missing. Emergency services responded to the call at Middle Beach, Yanco, where officers from the Murrumbidgee Police District, together with NSW Ambulance, State Emergency Service (SES), and the Volunteer Rescue Association, launched a comprehensive search for Mr. Varo. However, after several hours, the efforts were halted around 8 PM due to diminishing light and hazardous river conditions.
The search resumed the following day, but tragically, Mr. Varo’s body remains unlocated. Witnesses believe he may have been swept under by the river’s swift current, despite attempts by his friends to provide rescue.
Mr. Varo, who moved to Australia in 2022 under the National Employment Centre Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, had a four-year contract set to conclude next year. His family, situated in Navoci Village, Nadi, includes four children still in primary school. His wife, Mere Dawai, recounted the heartbreak of their last conversation on Sunday, during which Mr. Varo expressed his excitement about a picnic with friends and his eagerness to return home for Christmas.
“It is heartbreaking to lose such a caring, kind-hearted person,” Ms. Dawai shared tearfully. She recalled how he frequently called to speak with the children and shared his dreams of surprising them for the holidays and building a house for the family after completing his contract in Australia.
This tragic event highlights not just the dangers posed by natural bodies of water, especially in regions with strong currents, but also underscores the profound impact of loss on families and communities. As rescue operations continue, there is hope that Mr. Varo will be found soon, bringing closure to his grieving family.
In a situation filled with sorrow, it serves as a reminder of the love and joy that family brings, and that their memories will continue to live on despite the heartbreaking circumstances.
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