Missing Piha swimmer was to marry next month, family say, as body found on Bethells Beach
Yesterday, police told Arora’s family in India they believed the body found at Bethells Beach was him, his cousin Vijay Tomar told the Herald this morning.
“[It’s] tragic. [Family] were called by police yesterday, [saying] that they’d found the body.
“We’re planning to bring him [home] to India.”
Arora, who moved to Auckland eight years ago from the town of Ambala – 200km north of New Delhi – didn’t have any family in New Zealand, but was engaged to be married next month, Tomar said.
His fiance is from Sri Lanka, but Tomar didn’t know what support she had in New Zealand.
Aucklander Arjun Bhardwaj, who didn’t know Arora or his family but comes from the same town, has been asked by a mutual friend to help the family with the logistical challenges they now faced getting their loved one home.
He spoke with family members this morning and they confirmed Arora was to marry next month, Bhardwaj said.
Arora’s younger brother was expected to arrive in New Zealand today to identify his body, and begin the sad task of returning him home.
“His family is devastated and desperately [arranging] travel to New Zealand to see their son one last time and handle his cremation. They are facing significant financial hardship in doing so.”
He’s set up a Givealittle page to ease the financial burden on the family, Bhardwaj said.
“This is a heartbreaking situation.”
Arora and the six others swept out to sea by a rip were in the water between the flags, a Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“The swimmers were in the flagged area which meant surf lifeguards were watching and were able to rescue six out of the seven swimmers.”
They understood Arora didn’t know how to swim, the spokesperson said.
Conditions at the time of the tragedy were rough, with a choppy 2.5m swell, gusting wind and low tide.
Four of the seven were saved by lifeguards using a rescue board, and another two with an IRB, but Arora couldn’t be found.
Tips to stay safe in the water
• Swim between the flags, and within your own limits
• Ask lifeguards for advice
• If in doubt, stay out
• Wear a lifejacket if rock fishing
• Remember the 3Rs if you get in trouble – relax and float, raise your hand, and ride the rip until help arrives or you can safely swim back to shore
• Click on safeswim.org.nz to check when beaches are patrolled, and for updated surf and current conditions, and water quality
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
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