A young woman who was rushed to hospital after being found at the bottom of a motel swimming pool in Hamilton died on January 27.
Eighteen-year-old Deepika Kumar was due in her native Fiji the following day to begin training as a teacher.
She was discovered in the Classic Motel’s pool on Ulster Street at 4pm on January 26 by Reverend Sandra Williams, with whom she had attended the Parachute Christian music festival at Mystery Creek Event Centre.
Waikato Bishop-Elect Dr Helen-Ann Hartley said that the tragic event had affected many people in Christchurch, Wellington, the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, and Suva, Fiji.
‘‘Not least, this has affected the life of a truly remarkable young woman who touched so many lives in a short time, a woman with a life of huge promise,” she said.
Miss Kumar was found at the bottom of the swimming pool. Guests performed CPR on Kumar until paramedics arrived. Firefighters and St John Ambulance staff managed to get Miss Kumar to the point where she was showing signs of life.
Community prays
Williams, Priest in charge of St Mary’s Anglican Church in Whitby near Wellington and her husband Glen, were hosting Miss Kumar for a few weeks after she had completed her schooling at St Christopher’s Home in Suva, Fiji.
Reverend Jayson Rhodes said that Miss Kumar had been in care of St Christopher’s Home for two years.
“Sandra and Glen had a special relationship with the Home and they offered to host her for a while. We are praying, in a time of turmoil, for Miss Kumar and those gathered around her,” he said.
Waikato Police Inspector John Kelly said that the Police had spoken to Classic Motel guests and staff.
Source: Fairfax News
