Drowned teenager ‘cheeky and fun’

The parents of a teenager who drowned in flash floods in Auckland on Saturday say he was taken ‘‘at a time when the world was just opening up to him’’.

Mitch Woolley, 17, died alongside his school friend Sosi Turagaiviu after trying to cross a swollen river in West Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges in the late afternoon. Their bodies were recovered later that evening.

Mitch had just left Massey High School and was about to start an apprenticeship as a marine engineer.

‘‘He had worked from the finish of the school year at a local business, and was about to start his journey,’’ parents Tracey and Mike said in a statement on Monday.

Mitch was also a keen surfer who had recently travelled to Germany on a school football trip.

‘‘He was always the cheeky and fun loving entertainer in any group.

‘‘Mitch’s infectious personality always ensured that there was a smile on the faces of family, friends and those that happened to meet him.’’

Seventeen-year-old Sosi was also a keen football player and attended Massey High School alongside Mitch.

The boys had spent Saturday with Mitch’s twin brother Denver and two other friends, both 17-year-old boys, in and around the Waitakere ranges.

It was a place Mitch ‘‘lived in and loved, surrounded by the bush’’, his parents said.

Tracey and Mike Woolley also paid tribute to Sosi, saying they wanted his family to know they were thinking of them.

‘‘The boy spent many good times together,’’ they said.

‘‘Finally we would like to thank the police, and emergency services for bringing our boys home and the Waitakere golf club for their support during the search.’’

Principal Glen Denham said both teens were both ‘‘vibrant, passionate young men who involved themselves fully in all aspects of school’’.

Both were talented sportmen – as well as football, Sosi was a keen basketballer, and Mitch played and coached waterpolo.

Denham said his sympathies were with the boys’ families and friends.

‘‘They will be sadly missed at Massey High School and never forgotten.’’

The school was closed yesterday and would be today, but Mitch and Sosi would be remembered at year level assemblies on Wednesday, Denham said.

Students would be offered support through the guidance department.

Josiah Brown had played soccer with Mitch since they were children, and said he was the ‘‘stellar goalkeeper’’ of their summer team this season.

‘‘Mitch was a kind fella ... that made people smile by just being himself,’’ said Brown.