'Their dad was thinking of them, even until his last breath'

The family of a father-of-five who drowned after saving two of his young children have remembered him as a "family man" who "based his life around his children".

A father-of-five who drowned in a Boxing Day tragedy in western Sydney has been remembered as a “family man” who “based his life around his children”.

35-year-old Seti Tuaopepe died after falling off a blow-up paddleboard at the new Penrith Beach, but not before saving three of his children.

His wife Mina told A Current Affairshe believed his final sacrifice was indicative of how he lived his life.

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“His final act is the perfect example of the type of person he was towards his children,” she said.

“He sacrificed his own life to make sure our children were safe.

“He was a hero that day.”

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Seti Tuaopepe with his four oldest children. Picture: ACA

"He was just trying to grab onto something"

Mina told the programme Seti was a “man of God” who “based his life around his children”.

“He always reminded us that life was too short,” she said.

Tragically, Seti had bought the stand-up paddleboard just hours before his death.

He took his 12-year-old daughter Celeste, six-year-old daughter Zaynah, and four-year-old son Romney, out on the paddleboard.

ACA reports Celeste was swimming alongside the paddleboard when Zaynah leaned over to join her, causing the board to flip.

Celeste and her father dragged the two young kids back onto the board, but once they were safe Celeste felt Seti’s hand on her shoulder.

“It was as if he was shivering and gasping for air,” Mina told ACA.

“He was just trying to reach up and hold onto something.”

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Seti Tuaopepe with two of his daughters. Picture: ACA

"We meant the world to him"

Unfortunately, Celeste was unable to save her dad.

“I think in that moment he showed his love for us,” Celeste told ACA.

“We meant the world to him, and his actions on Boxing Day proved that.”

Seti’s death came as a shock to his family, as he was a fit man who was a competent swimmer, having grown up in Samoa.

“Swimming is mandatory,” Mina told ACA. “You need to learn how to swim to survive.

“I’m just trying to grasp the idea of him struggling, because he was a good swimmer.

“I hope he didn’t get caught on anything underneath the water.”

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Seti's family was shocked he drowned, as he was described as a competent swimmer. Picture: ACA

"Their dad was thinking of them until his last breath"

Now, in the aftermath of her husband’s death, Mina says she finds comfort in her faith and her kids.

“I draw that strength from my husband, my children, my family, his family, and our God,” she said.

Mina said she decided to speak out about her husband to help dispel some myths about Seti’s death.

She told ACA there were reports Seti had taken the kids outside the patrolled area, or that he couldn’t swim.

“He wasn’t the type of father that would put us in danger,” she said.

“Their dad was thinking of them, even until his last breath.”

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Seti's wife and kids now face a life without their father and husband. Picture: ACA

"My main focus is me and the children"

The Tuaopepe family told ACA they would be forever grateful to everyone on the beach who tried to help Seti.

“It gives us hope in this world that strangers are willing to help other strangers in times of need like this,” Seti’s 13-year-old daughter Patience said.

“I’ve seen a lot of people blaming other people for the situation, but I just wanted to say it’s no one’s fault, and accidents happen.”

Mina said her family’s future is “very uncertain” in the wake of her husband’s death.

“We have a lot of love and support at the moment, but my main focus will be me and the children,” she told ACA.

“It does weigh heavily on my mind just not having that emotional support, and him not being here physically for us.”

Originally published as 'Their dad was thinking of them, even until his last breath'