Tributes for Pakenham teenager Nick Maan after tragic drowning at Mordialloc beach

A teen has revealed the moment a day at the beach turned to tragedy after his late friend was “suddenly dragged” metres away from the shore.

A teen sucked out to sea at Mordialloc beach on Boxing Day broke down in tears as he revealed a bystander pulled him to shore but was unable to save his cousin.

Sebit Abraham Tit told the Herald Sun in an emotional interview that he was swimming with Pakenham teen Nick Maan, both 17, when they were “suddenly dragged” off the ocean floor into deeper water.

“We were just swimming, and we were still touching the bottom of the ocean, and we decided to swim back and then the sand just disappeared,” Sebit said.

“We all started to just panic and we were all just drowning ... I couldn’t breathe, I was trying to ask for help and was going in and out.”

Nick Maan pictured with friend Darci, who paid tribute to him on social media.

Sebit said Nick was enjoying Monday’s warm weather at the beach with his other cousin, Machar Maler, 19, and two footballing friends, Stephen Farajalla, 18, and Kuny Chol, 16. “Stephen was trying to help Nick while he was drowning too,” Sebit said, before breaking into tears.

While Stephen swam to help the struggling Nick, a woman swimming nearby was able to bring Sebit to shore.

“This one lady saved my life, she saved me ... she was swimming just there, a random woman, and she saved my life,” he said. “But then Nick got sucked away.

“As soon as I got out, I was asking, ‘Where’s Nick? Where’s Nick?’, ... he got swept away then they found him 15 minutes later ... we all started praying and crying and they took him away.”

Sebit was telling the Herald Sun how he first learned of Nick’s death while being driven to Nick’s parents’ house following the incident, when Nick’s father who was standing nearby suddenly collapsed.

Sebit Abraham Tit is comforted as he recounts the horror events that lead to his cousin drowning. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Maan said his son loved his sport and dreamt of playing footy for Collingwood – his favourite team.

Nick was heavily involved in soccer, football and basketball.

He worked part-time at Coles, where he had done a Christmas shift the day before his death.

“There’s nothing you can say, it was a sudden death,” Mr Maan said.

“He played forward (for Pakenham Lions); he was supposed to go to Gippsland Power next year.

“Nick was a good person.”

Multiple family members were standing with Nick’s father on the front lawn of the family home on Tuesday as temperatures soared.

Nick Maan played football for Pakenham Lions and dreamt of playing AFL.

Packenham teenager Nick Maan, 17, drowned at Mordialloc Beach on Boxing Day. Picture: Instagram

Mr Maan comforted Sebit while he recounted Monday’s tragic events.

Nick’s mother, who was due to give birth to a baby girl in two weeks, was taken to hospital earlier after experiencing difficulties with her breathing and has been unable to speak since the tragedy.

Nick’s death fell on a tragic day in Victoria’s waters after a man in his 30s also died on Monday at Kookaburra Point in Ebden following a “medical episode” in the water.

The man reportedly chased his dog into the water near Boathaven Rd but began to struggle about 3pm. He was taken to Albury Base Hospital, where he later died.

At least three other people were admitted to hospital in a serious condition after being pulled from the water on Boxing Day.

Another four were rescued from beaches across the state by Tuesday afternoon.