A young Samoan man who drowned on an Australian beach had only recently moved to Perth to help his brother’s family establish their new home.
Sio Afamasaga, 22, was swimming with his brother, sister-in-law and their children at Perth’s City Beach on Friday to celebrate the last day of his Christmas holiday.
Mr Afamasaga was caught in a rip at about 12.45pm with another man, who were pulled safely to shore.
A Surf Life Saving WA helicopter spotted Mr Afamasaga in the water and brought him to shore where paramedics performed CPR.
He was then rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where he later died.
Mr Afamasaga’s sister-in-law, Soo Afamasaga, said the generous young man had moved to Perth to help them cover costs as they settled into their new home.
“He lived with us and worked with my husband (Pita) helping his family at home and helping us with rent and stuff,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
Because most of Mr Afamasaga’s family live in Samoa, they want to return his body home “as soon as possible” but do not have the savings for the expensive trip.
Sio Afamasaga (photo with his niece) drowned on Perth’s city beach on Friday. His heartbroken family are now raising money to send his body to Samoa
A Surf Life Saving WA helicopter spotted Mr Afamasaga in the water at City Beach (pictured) and brought him to shore where paramedics performed CPR
‘It was so unexpected and we weren’t ready for it. We don’t have the money but his family wants him back home so they can say goodbye for the last time,” Mrs Afamasaga said.
“The cost for this is very expensive, more than $10,000. Then I have to pay for my husband’s medical costs and travel.’
Afamasaga’s older brother, Pita Afamasaga, said he was “cherished” by his family.
“My parents and family are committed to sending his body to Samoa so that they can properly pay their respects,” he wrote in a message on GoFundMe.
“He was their youngest and dearest child.”
Afamasaga’s brother, Pita, set up the GoFundMe campaign on Saturday in hopes of raising enough money for the repatriation flight.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the necessary funds to send him back to Samoa because this was an unexpected accident and we were not prepared,” he said.
“We humbly ask for donations to cover the funeral director’s costs, my flight and medication to preserve his body during the journey. I appreciate whatever you can afford and thank you for your support.”
Mr Afamasaga (pictured) moved to Australia to help his brother’s family settle in Perth
Pita Afamasaga had hoped to talk about his brother but was too distressed to be interviewed by Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Afamasaga said the family had gone to City Beach “to have some fun” but instead experienced a “devastating start to 2025”.
‘It’s very difficult and that’s why we’re doing our best to take him home. He is the youngest and his parents are very sad about the news,” she said.
WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.