The man who drowned at a newly opened inland ‘beach’ spent his last moments holding his son above water, it has been revealed.
Seti Tuaopepe is being remembered as a kind and gentle family man following the tragedy at Penrith Beach in Sydney’s west on Boxing Day.
Mr Tuaopepe, who is in his 30s, had been paddleboarding with his children when they fell into the water.
It is understood Mr Tuaopepe held his children above water until a rescuer arrived at 2.35pm on Tuesday, but was unable to save himself, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Seti Tuaopepe has been identified as the man who drowned at Sydney’s Penrith Beach on Boxing Day
The extensive search effort for the drowned man included police divers and a helicopter
After the boy was pulled from the water, the beach was closed and rescue crews began a desperate search for Mr Tuaopepe.
NSW Police divers and a Toll rescue helicopter were called in as part of the extensive effort.
Mr Tuaopepe’s body was found about 6.15pm, about four hours after he went missing.
There has been an outpouring of grief for Mr Tuaopepe, who grew up in Samoa, studied in New Zealand and moved to Australia for work.
‘You were kind, silent and a very gentle classmate,’ one friend wrote on Facebook.
‘You were a family man … condolences to your wife, children and family. Rest in peace and in the loving arms of our Lord.’
Penrith beach officially opened last week, immediately gaining the nickname Pondi after the famous eastern suburbs Bondi beach, and received mixed reviews from visitors.
A NSW government website bluntly lists what is not allowed at the beach including riding bikes, getting dropped off by a family member and even visiting without a booking – with some slamming the rules as ‘un-Australian’.
Penrith Beach is open from 7am to 7pm during the warmer months from December 19 until March 3.
The inland ‘beach’ which only opened last week was closed immediately after the tragedy
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