Fahim Wakili killed in Sydney lake after entering the water to retrieve son’s soccer ball

A family is grieving the loss of a Sydney man who drowned after he waded into a lake to retrieve his son’s soccer ball.

Tributes are flowing for a “devoted dad” who drowned after walking into a Sydney lake to retrieve his son’s soccer ball.

Fahim Wakili and his two children were playing near Lake Yandelora on Swansona Ave at Mount Annan, in the Macarthur region of Sydney, on Monday afternoon when the ball was kicked into the water.

The 38-year-old, who couldn’t swim, waded into the water to get the ball just before 5pm when he disappeared beneath the surface.

Emergency services rushed to the lake as witnesses tried to save him, but it was too late.

Several police officers entered the water searching for Mr Wakili before divers were called to assist.

Fahim Wakili and his two children were playing near Lake Yandelora. Picture: 7 News

His body was found just after 8.15pm on Monday as devastated friends and family gathered at the lake.

Michael Levich witnessed Mr Wakili disappear under the water, saying all he saw were bubbles as he jumped in after the father of two.

“I jumped in after him, but it was too late. I couldn’t do anything, he just went straight under,” he told 7 News.

Neighbours have remembered the 38-year-old as a devoted father who always went out of his way to spend time with his children.

“After school he would pick up the children and walk them home,” neighbour Scott Sporne said.

Flowers were left at the scene by family members remembering Mr Wakili, while tributes flowed on social media.

“RIP to the poor dad who died this afternoon … poor bloke was just trying to get his son’s ball out of the lake, never come back up,” Jacob Andrews wrote.

Tributes are flowing for Fahim Wakili, 38, who died after going into a Mount Annan lake to save his son's soccer ball. Picture: 7 News

Basim Alansari said he was “shocked” to hear of the death.

“I was shocked today to hear the loss of a very dear friend from my early youth who was an amazing brother, husband and father,” he said.

“His loss was in such a manner that is both heartbreaking and a reminder of how fragile life is.”

Authorities have issued warnings about water safety after a rise in drownings across the state.

Superintendent Murray Reynolds said there have been a “number of tragic incidents resulting in the deaths of people” in or around waterways over the past week.

“One of the most difficult aspects of policing is investigating fatalities and understanding the outcome was entirely preventable,” he said.