Teen attempts to save drowning man's life

Rhyhan Faithfull was up on the rocks 'having a munch” with his mates moments before he jumped into the water at McLaren Falls to try and save Pakistan man Muhammad Jawad from drowning yesterday.

Rhyhan Faithfull, 13, attempted to save a Pakistan man's life at McLaren Falls yesterday.

Sadly, his efforts to save the man were unsuccessful. But his mum and friends say he's a hero none-the-less.

In front of more than 10 people swimming at the river about 3.30pm on Saturday, 13-year-old Rhyhan climbed onto a nearby rock and grabbed Muhammad's arm in an effort to try and save him.

'I was up on the rocks and I could hear some people yelling out and stuff and then I looked over into the water and someone looked as though they were drowning.

'I went up next to him and I tried to help him out of the water by grabbing his arm. I thought I don't want to see him die so I tried to help him out of the water.”

Another bystander saw what was happening and also jumped in to help, but the pair had to let go to save themselves being dragged under the water too.

'The man was too heavy for me and I started getting dragged under the water too so I had to let him go. He just sunk straight away,” says Rhyhan, who saw his friend's mother Sam jump in after him, but she couldn't see anything under the "murky” water.

Rhyhan says he and his friends were swimming in the same water hole under the bridge as the man and his two friends. He says the water was very calm, but it was obvious the man couldn't swim.

'There wasn't really much of a flow, but when you get a couple of foot under the water you can't really see anything at all.”

This is the first time Rhyhan has attempted to save a man's life and his mother Michelle McVeigh says 'he's pretty brave”.

'It's really great to know that if anyone's in trouble then he'll just jump in.”

The Police National Dive Squad, with assistance of the Tauranga USAR volunteer team, have since recovered the man's body, confirming him as a 25-year-old Pakistan man residing in Auckland.

The matter has now been referred to the Coroner.

You may also like....

2 comments

Well Done Rhyhan and Sam

Posted on 15-12-2014 08:26 | By Surfwatch

Brave young man. Deserves some recognition for his brave unselfish act. Sam should get a medal as well.


Life saving items on hand

Posted on 15-12-2014 14:11 | By Murray.Guy

Where areas of water are clearly established as popular bathing spots should we have available appropriate floatation, rope and devices accessible in the event of an emergency? Would the likelihood of items being stolen, vandalised not make the investment worth while?


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.