Boy, 8, dies from ‘electrocution’ while on holiday with family at Fiji resort
Tributes pour in for ‘shy, tough little kid’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An eight-year-old boy died of suspected electrocution while on a holiday with his parents in Fiji last week.
Tributes started pouring in for Cairo Winitana, a “shy, tough little kid” who was found lying “motionless” near a flower garden at a hotel on Thursday.
His mother, Amber De Thierry, led tributes on social media, uploading a photo of him as a newborn child.
“I loved you my son from the moment I found out I was carrying you and will love you forever more my beautiful, beautiful blue eyes,” she wrote.
The eight-year-old lived in Sydney but was from New Zealand.
Cairo started playing junior rugby league in 2021 for the Milperra Colts in Sydney.
In a statement, the club said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“He was a shy, tough little kid who loved his footy,” the club said. “Once a Colt... always a Colt. Rest in love, Cairo.”
The boy was staying with his parents at the Club Wyndham Denarau Island Resort on the west coast of Fiji’s main island. He was taken to a hospital but doctors were unable to revive him.
“Initial information gathered is that the child was allegedly electrocuted however the post-mortem will have to confirm that,” the Fiji police said.
A full investigation into the incident has been launched. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing assistance to the family.
“We are aware of the death of a child in Denarau and are providing assistance to the family,” a spokesperson said. “For privacy reasons, no further details will be provided.”
The Fiji resort also released a statement saying it would work with police on the investigation.
“We have expressed our heartfelt condolences to the family and our thoughts remain with them at this time,” a Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific spokesperson was quoted as saying to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Our management team is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and cooperating with the police and authorities.”
Meanwhile, the family members of the boy have set up a fundraiser for his parents to raise money to transport Cairo’s body from Fiji to Australia. “As you could all imagine this is a very devastating loss for our family,” Glenys Wana, a relative, wrote on a GoFundMe page for the family.
“We humbly invite you to offer support for both Amber and Clarke [his father] as they navigate through this unimaginable nightmare they are now forced to live with. We all know Clarke and Amber to be the most loving, kind-hearted and genuine people.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments