A man drowns – Touliki public swimming pool closed

[lastupdated]

A 41 year old man had been drowned in a public swimming pool Tuesday 31, December 2013 in Nuku’alofa .

Silivenusi Moala of Fatumu but was staying in  Fangaloto was pulled out of the public swimming pool at Ma’ofanga (where Touliki is).

Deputy and Acting Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa told Kaniva News the deceased was with his five children swimming in the pool.

“While they were at the swimming pool the kids recognized there was something wrong with their father and they called for assistance from other swimmers who were around at the spot,” Fa’aoa said.

“The deceased was taken from the pool and rushed to Vaiola Hospital by ambulance. He was announced dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

The resident pathologist at Vaiola Hospital Dr Seventeen Toumo’ua has identified the cause of death is suffocation,” the Deputy and Acting Police Commissioner said.

Another man who was with the deceased in the pool said Moala consumed too much sea water as he struggled

A source claimed there was no CPR performed on Moala even when the paramedics arrived shortly.

The source also claimed there are deep areas in the swimming pool that may not be safe for those who could not be able to swim.

There is no water safety or warning signs at the site to warn the public, the source claimed.

Meanwhile the Tonga’s Port of Authority has announced on its website the closure of a swimming pool at Touliki.

“To all members of the public and users of the swimming pool at Touliki please be advised that effective today, 2nd of January 2014, the Swimming pool will be temporary closed down for maintenance until further notice,” the announcement says.

Kaniva News has been unable to confirm whether there was a link between the closure of the pool with Moala’s death.

We requested more information from the Port of Authority and will have an update as its comments become available.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news