The third person in the group, Moses Wailasi, managed to swim to shore where he began having heart problems.
Valu, the only one wearing a life jacket, tried to save Vehikite.
"When I managed to get close to him he grabbed me by the shoulder but didn't have a good grip. He pushed me under and I couldn't breathe.
"A wave came up pouring on top of us. We couldn't breathe and that's how he let go of me. I saw him start drifting from me.
"I tried to swim to him and I couldn't get enough breath and couldn't get any closer.
"I sometimes blame myself that I could do better but I couldn't. I can't forget his last yell: 'Help me Taimi', at the same time he started disappearing into the darkness."
"I had a little prayer and asked Jesus to help me because I started drinking seawater at the same time. Someone gave me a message in my mind, 'go with the waves'."
Valu said he managed to hold his breath until his head was clear of the water. Then he went with the waves until he could swim to the beach.
He described the moment he went home to break the news to his wife Talaheu Valu, Vehikite's sister.
She was waiting to greet the fishing group with food. "She looked happy and said 'how was it?'. I said 'Otumakavalu's body is missing'. She dropped everything and started crying."
Valu said the group had not known of the tragedy which claimed three lives just days before. He also revealed he usually fished without a life jacket. "I've been fishing for years and I didn't wear a life jacket. That's the first time and it saved me."
Vehikite's body was recovered yesterday. He and wife Lakusa had three sons, aged 6 months, 3 years and 4 years.
Friday night's tragedy brought sympathy from the widow of Aisea Inoke who drowned on Monday leaving her with children, aged 3 and 2, and one due in January.
Inoke, 40, drowned with his brother Makamapuhia, 38, and another relative, Hopapi Pepa, aged 41.
"I can feel what they going through because I'm going through the same thing, it will take time for me," Ana Inoke said.
"It's sad because the other one is alone and not found so we are about to have a service to pray for the bodies to be found."
Timeline of tragedy
Monday October 24
Afternoon: Three men drown while net fishing, rescue launched.
Evening: One body found, other two missing.
Friday October 28
7.30pm: Second body found on beach.
8pm: Three men are swept out to sea while net fishing.
8pm-11pm: Rescue launched. Two men rescued, one still missing.
Saturday October 29
5.30am: Search rescue resumed.
6.30am: Body found on beach by local fisherman.
Sunday October 30
Morning: Rescue helicopters resume search for third body.
