Baby girl drowns after 'falling from parent's yacht when she wriggled free from harness' in Fiji | The Sun

A BABY girl has tragically drowned after reportedly falling off her parents' yacht in Fiji.

Little Māhina Toki died on Friday after wriggling free from the harness she was strapped into on the deck and falling into the water.

Reports claim the tot had been tethered to the 10-metre catamaran named Kalamari while she was watching a film outside.

Her parents Mark and Kiri, from Great Barrier Island in New Zealand, were cooking dinner at the time while docked in Musket Cove.

The 13-month-old, "who loved the water and life on the boat", is believed to have tumbled into the sea.

When they returned to check on their daughter, the parents could not find her on the deck and began desperately searching for her.

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Police in Fiji said Māhina was later found floating in the sea.

Despite attempts to revive her, the tot sadly passed away at the scene.

Officials said the family had been docked at Musket Cove,  on the west side of Fiji, since late July.

A fundraiser has been launched to assist the family as they now make their way back home to New Zealand.

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A fellow cruiser set up the donations page to help cover the cost of funeral expenses and travel.

Grace Palos said the baby girl was secured by a harness but had "worked free and found the water."

The post read: "Mahina was 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.

"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.

"To anyone reading this who is moved and wants to help, anything and everything helps show our support.

"We encourage you to share this story with your friends, colleagues, and social networks to help raise awareness and garner additional support.

"The cruising community in Fiji, and Mark and Kiri thank you from the depths of our hearts.

"To the beloved Mahina, may you forever live in peace, splashing with joy somewhere in the sea."

Nearly £10,000 has already been raised to assist the heartbroken parents.

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Police in Fiji are investigating the boat tragedy.

A spokesman for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the death and was providing consular assistance.

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