Teen swept away by ‘mini tsunami’
A WELLINGTON teenager – the cousin of former All Black captain Tana Umaga – drowned while holidaying with her family in Samoa after she was swept away by a freak wave like a ‘‘mini tsunami’’.
Taiana Pilitati, 18, a former Wainuiomata High School pupil, was swimming with six others in the Vaisigano River near Apia, about 3pm on Thursday when a flash flood struck.
Her uncle Pati Umaga said it was Miss Pilitati’s first trip to Samoa to visit her family’s village.
‘‘A wave came down, they were all swimming up there when the wave hit them and they all got washed down and our niece didn’t make it,’’ Mr Umaga said yesterday.
‘‘This wasn’t one of those accidents with someone that couldn’t swim. It was an unavoidable tragedy.
‘‘As soon as the waves hit there was nothing anyone could do no matter how good a swimmer [they were]. It was just like a mini tsunami.
Mr Umaga said the accident was ‘‘absolutely freakish’’.
‘‘They only arrived the night before. We are just lost for words really.’’
The family, including Ms Pilitati’s mother and four sisters, were in Samoa to unveil a headstone for their aunt, Mr Umaga said.
‘This wasn’t one of those accidents with someone that couldn’t swim. It was an unavoidable tragedy.’ PATI UMAGA
Miss Pilitati had recently left school to pursue her passion for music.
She loved singing and dancing, said.
‘‘I’d describe her as a free spirit, but one who was really grounded and with a freakish sense of humour.’’
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Vaiauau Alailefaleula said her niece had touched many people with her humour, warmth and smile.
‘‘She was a blooming young woman with a lot of potential and love for music.’’
Miss Pilitati had an ‘‘absolutely stunning voice’’ and was the lead singer of a band called Mo’ Jamz, Mrs Alailefaleula said.
The family was now working with the New Zealand High Commission and Air New Zealand to get her back home.
Wainuiomata High School teacher Tanya Graham, who taught Miss Pilitati for two years, said staff at the school were shocked at the news of her death.
‘‘Tai was an awesome young lady with a huge heart. She cared for others, was amazing with children and had a crazy, quirky sense of humour,’’ Miss Graham said through tears.
‘‘She will be so incredibly missed by all of us who have had the privilege of teaching her and being around her.
‘‘Aroha goes out to all of her family and friends and those whose lives her beautiful smile and nature has touched. She definitely has a lot of friends.’’
The school’s deputy principal, Ioane Puka, said no pupils were at the school yesterday because it was a teachers only day.
However, support would be provided to Miss Pilitati’s friends and relatives at school on Monday.