Aggie Auelua has been hailed a true hero for selfless act. Photo / Facebook
Aggie Auelua has been hailed a true hero for selfless act. Photo / Facebook
The family of a New Zealand woman who died saving a young boy in Australia say they are in the dark and need more information about what happened.
Taima Mano, who legally adopted Agnes 'Aggie' Auelua when she was a young girl, said the 25 year-old was a lively person who always had a "positive attitude".
But the family were still seeking answers on how Ms Auelua died, and wanted to know if anybody helped her when she jumped in the water.
"We are grieving. We are suffering," said Mrs Mano's husband, who asked that his name not be used.
Most of Ms Auelua's family grew up in or around Naenae, in Wellington's Hutt Valley. Aggie was born in Apia, Samoa, in December 1989.
Ms Auelua was "a Hutt girl", Mrs Mano said, and most of her family was still in New Zealand.
The Manos legally adopted eight nieces and nephews and had two children of their own. But all 10 children were like brothers and sisters, Mrs Mano said.
The Manos said Ms Auelua last visited New Zealand in 2013.
They understood her partner was in favour of having a memorial service in Australia.
But they said Ms Auelua's family wanted the service to be in Naenae.
Ms Auelua's uncle said it was sad when young people moved away and didn't keep family informed about their lives.
The Manos said they rarely heard about their niece's personal or work life and they hoped to learn more about what she was doing in Australia.
The family had some "suspicions" about what others may have done to help Ms Auelua after she jumped in the water, Mrs Mano said.
She was seeking more clarity from Australian authorities who were now investigating.
But the Manos stressed that Australian police had done an excellent job, and said a police officer who attended the tragic incident was "distraught".
Ms Auelua "was a brave girl" to go to the aid of the boy, police told Mrs Mano.
The devastated aunt said she'd barely slept since the family heard about Ms Auelua's death.
Ms Auelua went to the local Congregational Church when she was a child, and later the Assembly Of God church, the Manos said. She went to Sunday School as a youngster.
Ms Auelua's mother, who lives a few blocks away in Naenae, was too distraught to talk to media this morning.
Ms Auelua's uncle did not believe his niece was a good swimmer and as a child, she was scared of the water.
So although Aggie was brave, he was very surprised she jumped in, he said.
The Mano and Auelua families hoped to gather in Naenae tonight to discuss how they might arrange a memorial service and repatriation.
Some of Ms Auelua's relatives planned to visit northern New South Wales as soon as possible.
Others were travelling up from Christchurch to support the family in Naenae.
The Manos said cremation was incompatible with their cultural values and though they respected other cultures, it was important Aggie had a traditional memorial service.
"Incredibly positive" pupil
At Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt, teachers shared fond memories of their former pupil.
"She was incredibly positive, very bright, full of energy, very generous and giving," said Gabrielle Bartholomew, a religious studies teacher.
It is unclear if the boy was one of the children Ms Auelua was with, but Australia's 9News reported he was the son of her partner. Police said he was not related to her.
Ms Auelua, who was not believed to be a strong swimmer, jumped into the sea and reached the boy.
She managed to keep him afloat for several minutes before getting into difficulty herself.
Police said two men saw what was happening and swam out to assist.
They were soon joined about 100m offshore by a police officer, who swam the boy back to safety.
By that time, Ms Auelua was unconscious and the men stayed in the water with her until a surf lifesaving boat arrived.
Emergency service workers performed CPR on the shore before taking her to Tweed Hospital in a critical condition. She died there.
The boy, who was also taken to the hospital, was not injured.
Hundreds of tributes were posted on social media as news of Ms Auelua's death spread, with many people describing her as a hero who had committed "such a brave act".
Old friend Fei Filipo Sipaia posted: "In shock at the moment ... So sad to hear about a childhood friend I grew up with in church ... Such a heroic woman ... Rest in Love, beautiful Aggie."
Another friend, Ana Sakaria, posted: "RIL Girl. What a courageous soul you have to help save someone else. May our good Lord comfort your family xo."
Tracey Wilson posted: "A true hero indeed. RIP to this brave soul, may she fly high with the angels."
Ms Auelua's aunt, Liahona N Hamala Noa, was overwhelmed by the news.
"It is devastating for my family to hear my beautiful niece Aggie Auelua passed away ... she was a wonderful girl that we love and miss. R.I.P Aggie Auelua, we love you and miss you," she wrote.
Percy Toi said "R.I.P, young lady ... that 9-year-old boy will never forget you."
On an Australian surf lifesaving website, Fingal Beach is described as "moderately hazardous" and is ranked six out of ten on a hazard scale.
Fingal Head, located at the end of Fingal Bay, is bordered by a number of rocks.
When waves are particularly high, the bay is also notorious for having numerous strong rips, the website says.
