Father and son fall to their deaths at Tiapapata Ravine

APIA, SAMOA – 10 JUNE 2020: A 52 year old father and his 14 year old son fell to their deaths yesterday afternoon at the Tiapapata ravine not far from their home.

Thirty (30) Fire and Emergency Service and 20 police officers were involved in the rescue operations and took about 13 hours to recover the bodies from the riverbed at the bottom of the gorge.

Police and the Fire & Emergency Service were informed about 1.00 yesterday afternoon, and the bodies of the two deceased were recovered at around 3.00 this morning.

The rescue team said the ravine is about 200 to 300 meters deep and it was slippery and treacherous especially when bringing the bodies up from the bottom of the gorge.

Police believe tragedy struck when the 14 year old Avele College student and his cousin were on their way to the family plantation near the ravine not far from their home. Both boys fell into the ravine however the cousin managed to find his way up and notified his family.

The father then went to rescue his son but he also fell into the ravine.

The rescue team said the bodies were found on a riverbed at the bottom of the ravine already dead and the injuries were visible on their bodies.

The bodies of the 52 year old father and his 14 year old son are now at the hospital morgue.

The Samoa Police Service have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family and also acknowledged the support of the front line agencies especially FESA who took part in the recovery operation.

Police and Rescue operations are also underway to locate a father and his son missing at sea at Neiafu village on the western side of Savaii.