Kamenieli Varo, a father of five, is feared to be the latest drowning victim in New South Wales after he reportedly drowned in the Murrumbidgee River near Yanco on Sunday. NSW Police received a distress call around 5:15 PM on November 3, indicating that the 32-year-old was missing in the river. Emergency services quickly responded to assist in the search at Middle Beach, Yanco.
According to a statement from the police, officers from the Murrumbidgee Police District, along with teams from NSW Ambulance, SES, and the Volunteer Rescue Association, conducted an extensive search but were unable to locate Mr. Varo by nightfall. The search effort was halted around 8 PM due to challenging conditions and was set to resume the following day. As of now, his body has not yet been recovered.
It is believed that a strong current may have caused Mr. Varo to be swept underwater, and despite attempts by friends to assist him, they were unsuccessful. Mr. Varo had emigrated to Australia in 2022 through the National Employment Centre (NEC) Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and was on track to complete his four-year contract next year. Four of his children are still in primary school, and his family resides in Navoci Village in Nadi.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Mr. Varo’s wife, Mere Dawai, shared that their last conversation occurred on Sunday. He told her he was going for a picnic with friends and planned to call afterward. Unbeknownst to them, it would be their final exchange. During that last call, he expressed excitement about coming home for Christmas and talked about surprising the family. Ms. Dawai reflected on the loss of her caring and kind-hearted husband, saying, “It is so painful to lose a husband who is caring and a kind-hearted person. He wants to help everyone who asks him for help. We miss him.”
This tragic situation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by natural waterways, especially during recreational activities. As search efforts continue, one can only hope for a resolution that brings some closure to the grieving family.
This story highlights the profound impact of loss and the importance of familial bonds, illustrating how Mr. Varo’s dream of creating a better life for his family will forever be marked by this heartbreaking incident.
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