Drowning Tragedy in Piha

SCENARIO:

On 3rd January 2010, whilst fishing at Lion Rock beach in Piha, Elmer Abonero, 34, a Filipino construction worker, was swept off the rocks. The rescue efforts of his Filipino mates and surf lifesavers proved futile because of rough conditions. He drowned.

TIMELINE OF TRAGEDY:

This is a gist of what happened to Elmer Abonero, husband to Marivic and father of three young children. It was the summer holidays, and on that fatal Sunday Elmer and friends were fishing in Piha, West Auckland. Around 4:40 pm, Elmer went out to a rocky outcrop at Lion Rock beach looking for shellfish.

According to his friends, Elmer turned around with his back to the sea and all of a sudden he was swept away by a huge wave. It’s been reported that the sea level near the rocks is about three metres deep. He struggled above water for 30 to 45 seconds, ran out of stamina and drowned. Twelve days later, his body was found along the coast of Muriwai Beach.

PIHA CLAIMS LIFE

Piha Beach in west Auckland is considered ‘treacherous’ because of the unpredictable rip currents along this stretch of unforgiving coastline.

Over the years, beaches in this area have claimed the lives of many who went swimming there or when fishermen are swept off the rocks.

Most people are aware that the west coast beaches can be hazardous and not to be taken lightly. Piha, in particular, is so perilous that it even has it's own weekly TV show, 'Piha Rescue” due to the high number of incidents or rescues (for the lucky ones).

But we can’t be sure if Elmer and company were aware of the dangers of rock fishing in Piha, says Thelina Nuvall who researched this story.

Lifesavers commenting about this tragedy said that Elmer might have survived if he had been wearing a lifejacket.

Philippine honorary consul-general in Auckland, Emilie P. Shi, has advised the Filipino community to be wary about fishing in Piha’s north and south beaches.

She wants people to choose safer fishing grounds, some of which are on the North Shore.

“It is a must to wear life jackets as a safety precaution. We don't want another tragedy befalling our community," she commented in the North Shore Times.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Elmer Abonero arrived in New Zealand in September 2009 to work in a roading company in Auckland.

According to Thelina Nuval, Filipino Migrant News Contributing Editor, who has been following this story, his Filipino co-workers say he was in high spirits having found this new job.

“Elmer’s employer has been unwavering in his support and concern not only for Elmer, but also for Marivic his wife and dependents in the Philippines.

“During the first week of the drowning, his Kiwi employer provided a funeral service at East Tamaki even though Elmer’s body had not been recovered.

“He was following the Filipino tradition of giving respect to a departed one, but he had not given up hope of finding the body.

“When Elmer’s body was found 12 days later at Muriwai beach, preparations were made for a second funeral service on 31st January attended by Elmer’s colleagues, friends and his boss.

His employer made arrangements for the repatriation of Elmer’s body to the Philippines.

He has also submitted the paperwork necessary to release to Marivic and dependents the proceeds of Elmer’s company and personal life insurance policies.