Sonny Fai 3 News 5th Jan 09 10.46pm NZEST KEEP THE FAITH!!

The search for Warriors star Sonny Fai will resume in the morning after rescue attempts were hampered by weather conditions today.

Fai is presumed to have drowned after saving his younger brother from a rip last night at Bethells Beach in West Auckland.

Family members of Fai consoled one another today as they stared out at where the 20-year-old was last seen.

Sonny was just going to get his little brother who was in the rip and then they both ended up in the rip and Sonny told his brother to let go of his hand and he drifted back to shore and Sonny got stuck in the rip, said Fais girlfriend Jenna Frost.

By coincidence a cameraman was at the beach testing out his new camera. Without realising what he was filming, he captured the harrowing moments as Sonnys family scream for help and frantically search for the missing Warrior.

Surf lifesavers arrived twenty minutes later but unfortunately their boat failed to start.

The cameraman seemed to have little idea of the scale of the tragedy and adjusted the settings on his camera meanwhile Sonnys family scaled rocks and searched the sea for him.

The family turned to prayer as it got too dark to search and eventually, two and a half hours later, the cameraman leaves the scene.

Conditions made it very hard to search for the Warriors star.

Some of our guards were on the island looking out to the ocean trying to direct us for what we possibly might have had as a sighting but each time that we went through we couldnt see anything, said Dave Comp from Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving.

The family spent most of the night and today at the beach, waiting for any sign of him.

It is like having one leg, one arm. I mean he was my little brother but he played a big part in our lives. Sonny didnt believe in independence he believed that family always came first, said Fais sister La Lelei.

Fais Warrior teammates joined the family to lend their support.

It was supposed to be the first day of training, but that is now on indefinite hold.

The boys just couldnt believe what had happened when we broke the news to them. There was just a lot of disbelief really and just a feeling of absolute loss and devastation, said team manager Don Mann.

Last year Sonny talked about what it meant to him to be part of the team.

It has been awesome playing alongside Reuben and Pricey. You know, rubbing shoulders with those great guys. There is nothing more I can ask for in league, said Fai in an interview filmed last year.

Sonny Fai will always be remembered as a Warrior, both on and off the field.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Sonny Fai
• Auckland Warriors
• drowned
• missing
• Bethell's Beach
• West Auckland

[willtron01]

Comment by nzlolz has been removed. The reason I posted these news about Sonny is that I have family overseas who don't get the updates that we get here in NZ, they are also praying for the safe return of Sonny. Its also a way we can share the power of prayer for Sonny and his family. ONE LOVE, KEEP THE FAITH!

[RomanKalani]

I never knew Sonny but for some reason, myself like others everywhere are deeply effected. My heart is saddened and extend my love to the Fai family. I know Sonny would have fought for all he had in those moments when he saved his brother and cousins and thats how I will remember him. For a man who had everything to live for, he gave his life for his family, something we should all admire and live by. A great league player but an even greater man, son, brother and cousin.

[daredevilrugbyplayer]

there is no evidencs that he is dead so who knows theres a miracle and we see him playing for warriors in the 2009 nrl grand final

[matthewsoccer2011]

Dear God.......

If you give us Sonny 'The Warrior' Fai we will give you Justin '2 inches' Bieber

[DJslushy92]

R.I.P i know you would of been a legend i was down at the mt the day i herded about this

[tongandevil24]

sonny i miss you :( you are my best friend , and always gnah be , icant be near a beach without crying . each and everyday i think about you , imiss the way we talked and ive still got my tat you did , cherish it forever . miss yuu so so muj , May God continue to bless you and bring you home .

[Lilly0195]

RIP sonny :* xo

[mzfatd]

rest easy sonny you are a great person your mother and father would of been so proud of you you will always be remembered and never ever forgotten we all love you our hearts go out to you and your family

xox

[Jenlove26]

wow idk the boi who died but i was just browsing thru and wanted to know what happened to him until his girl told the story. wow! my heart goes to her and the family. I was in tears b/c he was a Hero and to kno a young boi like him sacrificed his life 4 his lil bro. touched my heart. God bless u all frm the states he's very Handsome a Hero.

[QchiieLiciouz]

R.I.P Sonny...

[playazville]

peace out my nigga. i remember the days when you played 4 papatoetoe n u use 2 carve us up lol