A man has died after falling down a cliff in the island of Tofua, Ha’apai.
The 44-year-old man from Fatai, Tongatapu tragically fell off the cliff before he died, the Police said.
The depth measurement of the cliff had not been revealed.
The deceased has been an occupant for over a decade at Tofua island for planting kava crops.
On the day of the tragedy, a witness said that the deceased heard someone calling from below the cliff that he went to check.
Unfortunately, he accidentally fell off.
A call for assistance to the Town Officer of Kotu was made around dawn of Saturday, 27 January through a VHF radio transmitter, which was received by the Town Officer of Matuku, who relayed the message via mobile phone to the Town Officer of Kotu.
Three men were then sent to Tofua island to assist.
At around 1.00 pm, Saturday, 27 January, the three men returned to Kotu with the deceased’s body, which was then further transported to Ha’afeva to be examined by a medical doctor.
Due to the state that the deceased’s body was in and the bad weather conditions, the doctor and the Ha’afeva District Officer decided that it was best to bury the deceased immediately.
Police investigations into the matter continue in order to produce reports for his formal inquest.
Tonga Police would like to send their condolences to the family.
Contact Police on phone 740-1630/740-1632 or 922 to report crime.
