Wind ‘pushes’ boy into sea
‘His son has survived — and that’s all Valeli wanted that day,’ says victim’s brother
Valeliano Mita and his young son were fishing at a Wellington wharf when a gust of wind suddenly whipped up and pushed the boy into the water below.
The 40-year-old father of three did not know how to swim but did not hesitate to jump into the sea to save his eldest child, 8-year-old Matelagi.
Mita’s brother, Sylvester Nansen, has described the harrowing moment a week after the tragedy at Seatoun Wharf, about 8.35pm.
“They were out fishing and the wind pushed his son into the sea. He went in and saved him,” Nansen said.
“We can only say thank you to the people who tried to help him because . . . his son has survived — and that’s all Valeli wanted that day.”
MetService said winds in Wellington last Saturday were moderate, with gusts of up to 26km/h recorded near the airport.
However Time and Date recorded wind gusts of up to 42km/h between 6pm and midnight.
Mita had lived and worked in Wellington for about 10 years after arriving in the country via the Samoan quota ballot. He worked at a waste management company, supporting his wife, Merita, and their children as well as sending money home for his mother, Telesia.
Merita and the children had arrived in New Zealand in recent years and together they had set up their young family here with big dreams.
“They were all there [at the wharf] that day, but she was looking after the younger children — their little daughter and other son.”
Nansen paid tribute to a brother, the eldest of four siblings, who was known for his humility and quiet nature.
“He was always silent. He wasn’t the type to talk back. It wasn’t easy news to hear and it was very hard to tell our mother.”
It is understood a flotation device will soon be installed at Seatoun Wharf as a result of the tragedy.
Mita’s family are now trying to get to New Zealand for his funeral in Auckland on Tuesday. Up to 10 family members were due to touch down in Auckland yesterday but flights from Samoa were cancelled as Tropical Cyclone Tino hit the Pacific.
Mita is one of eight people who have drowned since the start of the year. Among them are a kayaker who went missing, a capsized boatie, and a dad and his 11-year-old son who died while snorkelling for kaimoana.