Body of man drowned returned to India family

A 21-year-old Indian man who drowned at Maori Bay is being remembered as a “good man” who was friendly and funny.

Akhil Tangri, from Ludhiana city in Punjab, was found dead in the water at Maori Bay near Muriwai, West Auckland on Friday. He had come to New Zealand as a student in July.

The Indian Weekender reported that, according to Tangri’s friend, he was out with friends celebrating one of their birthdays when three of them decided to go to Maori Bay for a swim.

When the boys were swimming, all three of them were swept away by a high tide.

While two of them survived, Tangri could not be saved.

Tangri’s friend, Mark Fernandez, said it was “so sad and shocking” to hear of his death. “The night before he died, we really had a great time — good food and funny conversation with other friends.

“He did karaoke and sang a friendship song which seemed like he was having a mini concert.

“It was so sad and shocking that on the next day I received very bad news about him. It was really unbelievable.”

Fernandez said Tangri had been studying business at EDENZ Colleges and had taught him some Indian language and enticed him to try Indian food.

The Indian Express reported that Tangri’s family were informed of his death on Saturday and his body was expected to reach Ludhiana on Thursday.

Tangri’s elder brother declined to speak with the Indian Express and said, “We cannot say anything as of now. We need privacy. My parents still have not been informed about the tragedy.”