Kamenieli Varo, a father of five, is feared to have drowned in New South Wales while swimming in the Murrumbidgee River near Yanco on Sunday. Authorities were alerted around 5:15 PM on November 3, indicating that the 32-year-old man was missing. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene at Middle Beach, Yanco.
According to a statement from NSW Police, local officers, along with NSW Ambulance, the State Emergency Service (SES), and the Volunteer Rescue Association, carried out a thorough search effort but were unable to locate Mr. Varo before the search was suspended around 8 PM due to darkness and risky river conditions. The search resumed on Monday, but unfortunately, his body has yet to be recovered.
Witnesses believe that the strong currents of the river may have swept Mr. Varo under the water. Despite attempts by friends to rescue him, they were unsuccessful. Mr. Varo moved to Australia in 2022 through the National Employment Centre (NEC) Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme, and he was set to complete his four-year contract next year.
His wife, Mere Dawai, shared the heart-wrenching details of their last conversation, which occurred on Sunday. He mentioned he was enjoying a picnic with friends and promised to call again afterward. Ms. Dawai expressed her sorrow, stating, “We didn’t know it was the last time that we would hear his voice.” She conveyed her husband’s eagerness to spend Christmas with his family, as he had planned to surprise them before the holiday and had hopes of building a house for them once his contract ended.
A tearful Ms. Dawai spoke about how much Mr. Varo meant to his family, describing him as a caring and kind person who was always willing to help others. His absence is deeply felt, and his family is in our thoughts as they navigate this painful time.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of swimming in strong currents, especially in natural water bodies. While this is a challenging and deeply saddening situation, the community can come together to support the family during this difficult moment, highlighting the compassion of those around them.
It is essential to prioritize safety when enjoying outdoor activities, especially in areas with known strong currents, to prevent future tragedies.
Leave a comment