Free spirit remembered after MacKenzie Falls drowning

An Indian tourist who drowned at MacKenzie Falls near the Grampians on Boxing Day has been remembered as an adventurous free spirit who lived for travel.

Photos of MacKenzie Falls drowning victim Harmanjot Singh Walia.

An Indian tourist who drowned at MacKenzie Falls near the Grampians on Boxing Day has been remembered as an adventurous free spirit who lived for travel.

Harmanjot Singh Walia, 27, and his wife Kirtika flew to Victoria from New Zealand on Christmas Day to be with their two closest friends.

Sadly, Mr Walia’s life came to a tragic end barely a day after landing.

He and his friend were swimming at the notoriously dangerous falls when he became sucked under a rock ledge about 5pm.

Harmanjot Singh Walia and his wife Kirtika.

MacKenzie Falls drowning victim Harmanjot Singh Walia and his wife Kirtika Walia.

Close friend and eyewitness Binoty Vij said bystanders formed a human chain in an attempt to pull him to the surface.

However he could not be saved and his body was retrieved from the water early the next morning.

“The water took his body onto the other side and 15 people jumped over the waterfall to help him,” Ms Vij told the Herald Sun.

“A French tourist went about four metres under to try get him. Everyone held hands so others didn’t get lost.

“He told us he could see someone’s legs under the rock but by then it was too late.”

Mr Walia’s wife of 10 years witnessed him being dragged under by the water.

“In 15 seconds his body was gone … it just disappeared,” Ms Vij said.

“Her condition is very bad … she thought he might still be able to come back.

“We all still believe he is going to come back.”

The pair lived in Rotorua in New Zealand on a work permit and did not have health or travel insurance.

Mr Walia worked as a truck driver, which helped support his sick mother in India.

He and his wife were planning a trip to the US next year.

“He was charming, funny and a helpful guy,” said Ms Vij.

Signage at the tourist attraction warns of the dangers of swimming, which is prohibited at the falls.

Less than a day after Mr Walia’s death, holiday-makers were seen swimming in the falls.

Authorities have warned swimmers to stay safe in the water after 26 drownings were recorded across Australia in the past 30 days.

On Christmas Day a 64-year-old diver drowned off the rocks at Cape Schanck as his helpless diving buddy watched on.

And on Christmas Eve a father, 45, and son, 20, drowned in the surf at Phillip Island while the youngest child, 12, managed to swim to shore.

A GoFund Me page has been set up to raise funds for Mr Walia’s family.

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@AneekaSimonis