Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 23, 2018
The father of a young student who died yesterday has said that the New Zealand authorities can “take whatever organs they may need” from his son’s body before it is sent back home.
About 30 minutes ago we reported that twenty-seven-year-old Kishore Kumar Aravindan was swept away by the gushing waters of the Omanawa Falls near Tauranga on Sunday afternoon (April 22, 2018). He was visiting the famous tourist attraction with his two classmates when the tragic incident occurred.
Sobbing father
Aravindan Viswanathan, the dead man’s father broke down while speaking to Indian Newslink from his home in Chennai, India a few minutes ago. A retired officer from Larsen & Toubro, he is leading a quiet life with his wife (a teacher) and a young daughter.
“I have lost the most precious possession in my life. Kishore was everything to us. He was a bright boy and we had hoped that he would return home after completing his postgraduate (Masters) study at the University of Waikato and that we would all be together again. It has been a shock. My wife has not been able to recover since she heard the tragic news,” he said.
Tragic rescue
Mr Balasubramanian said that he was informed that his son Kishore was lifted from a 17-metre pit near the Falls and then taken by helicopter to Tauranga Hospital.
“We do not need any money. We have lost our son. He was a very healthy young man. Therefore, I have sent word that the authorities in New Zealand can take any organ that they would need from his body and then send us the remains. We wish to conduct his funeral in Chennai,” he said.
Tamilians help
The Tamil Society of Waikato has been coordinating efforts with the Police, the family of Kishore and others and has been offering support to Pravallika Samuthirarajan, who was rescued from the Falls and their friend Ashwin Balasubramaniam.
Society President Senthil Kumar Sabapathy and Vice-President Mohan Ram Inbaraj have been in contact with Indian Newslink to update us.
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Photo Caption:
Kishor Kumar Aravindan, who drowned yesterday
(Picture supplied)
