New Zealand toddler Mahina Toki dies after falling from catamaran at Musket Cove and drowning during family holiday to Fiji
- Thirteen-month-old girl found in ocean
- Loosed herself from straps on boat
- Parents were cooking below deck
A toddler who was reportedly strapped to a boat while her parents cooked dinner has drowned after managing to escape from the harness and falling overboard.
The body of 13-month-old New Zealander Mahina Toki was found floating in the water off Fiji‘s idyllic Musket Cove on Friday.
Mahina, who had only reached 13 months the day before, had moments earlier been sitting in a harness and watching a movie on the family catamaran Kalamari.
Her parents Mark and Kiri were cooking below in the galley before they emerged on deck and discovered their daughter was missing.
Fijian Police said the toddler had managed to break free from the harness and fall overboard before drowning.
Mahina (pictured centre with parents Mark and Kira), a 13-month-old girl from New Zealand, was found off Fiji
After an urgent search the girl’s body was found floating in the water and the family rushed to shore desperately pleading for help to revive her.
Several boaties were in the area at the time and included doctors and medical staff who immediately rushed over to help.
The young girl could not be revived despite the frantic efforts.
Island Cruising New Zealand owner Viki Moore said the bystanders did everything they could to try and save the toddler.
She revealed it was common to people to be tethered to the boat while sailing.
‘I don’t know what happened in this case, but it is very sad,’ she said.
The devastated family had arrived at Musket Cove two days earlier on Wednesday after sailing from New Zealand.
The death of the little girl has sparked an outpouring of grief among loved ones and the community.
‘Fellow cruiser’ Grace Palos has set up a fundraising page and labelled the toddler a ‘beautiful, happy, smiling child who loved the water and life on the boat.
Her mother, Kiri said she had eyes that looked into your soul from the day she was born. She was 13 months old yesterday,’ the Givealittle fundraiser reads.
‘Mahina’s parents, Mark and Kiri, are in the process of picking up their lives and traveling back to their home of Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.
The idyllic surrounds of Musket Cove in Fiji were the scene of tragedy on Friday when a toddler drowned
‘The cruisers of Musket Cove are humbly asking for your assistance in raising funds for the family to help cover the cost of flights back home, funeral expenses and anything else Mark & Kiri need as they move forward.
‘To the beloved Mahina, may you forever live in peace, splashing with joy somewhere in the sea.’
More than $28,000 had been raised by Monday morning.
Musket Cove Resort manager Joe Mar described it as a huge shock to the community.
‘The family rushed into shore to seek help and a lot of people rushed to their aid, but unfortunately couldn’t revive her,’ he said.
A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman told NZ Herald reported said they were aware of the death and providing consular assistance.
