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Tragic news for the Warriors.
Clio Francis | January 5, 2009 - 9:39AM
Rising New Zealand Warriors star Sonny Fai is missing, presumed drowned, at Bethells Beach, West Auckland.
His agent Frank Endacott said he understood the 20-year-old Fai had just completed a training run on the beach and had gone to cool off in the surf with three others yesterday evening.
They then got in trouble in a rip, he said.
The alarm was raised about 8pm and two inflatable boats and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were scrambled to the scene.
Three of the men were rescued, but Mr Fai remained missing when the search was called off, about 10pm.
The search resumed this morning but a spokesman for Westpac rescue helicopters said they were no longer involved with the operation.
Dean Duthie, of police search and rescue, said he understood a helicopter had flown over the area earlier today.
He was unaware of any further search and rescue operations being carried out at the beach.
Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Dave Comp said the club was not involved in searching for Fai today.
Fai made 15 appearances for the Warriors after making his debut against Paramatta last year.
A utility who signed with the Warriors as a 14-year-old, Fai has long been touted as a player of immense potential.
The 1.92m tall, 109kg Fai is contracted to the Warriors until the end of the 2010 season.
He extended his contract with the Auckland-based club last year despite reported interest from up to seven other NRL clubs.
He has represented the Junior Kiwi's since 2004, as well as representing the New Zealand Under-18's and Under-16's.
He has a fan club on social-networking site Bebo with almost 200 members.
Clio Francis | January 5, 2009 - 9:39AM
Rising New Zealand Warriors star Sonny Fai is missing, presumed drowned, at Bethells Beach, West Auckland.
His agent Frank Endacott said he understood the 20-year-old Fai had just completed a training run on the beach and had gone to cool off in the surf with three others yesterday evening.
They then got in trouble in a rip, he said.
The alarm was raised about 8pm and two inflatable boats and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were scrambled to the scene.
Three of the men were rescued, but Mr Fai remained missing when the search was called off, about 10pm.
The search resumed this morning but a spokesman for Westpac rescue helicopters said they were no longer involved with the operation.
Dean Duthie, of police search and rescue, said he understood a helicopter had flown over the area earlier today.
He was unaware of any further search and rescue operations being carried out at the beach.
Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Dave Comp said the club was not involved in searching for Fai today.
Fai made 15 appearances for the Warriors after making his debut against Paramatta last year.
A utility who signed with the Warriors as a 14-year-old, Fai has long been touted as a player of immense potential.
The 1.92m tall, 109kg Fai is contracted to the Warriors until the end of the 2010 season.
He extended his contract with the Auckland-based club last year despite reported interest from up to seven other NRL clubs.
He has represented the Junior Kiwi's since 2004, as well as representing the New Zealand Under-18's and Under-16's.
He has a fan club on social-networking site Bebo with almost 200 members.
