A Chinese international student described by friends as cheerful and warm-hearted has drowned while swimming at Sydney’s Maroubra Beach after trying out a newly purchased diving mask.
Fangqi Peng, 30, was at the popular eastern suburbs beach on Sunday afternoon with three friends who were collecting sea snails along the shoreline.
Shortly after 3pm, Peng entered the water alone to test the mask while the others continued searching among rocks some distance away.
7News reports that friends later told police they lost sight of him as rocks obstructed their view and assumed he would quickly return. When Peng did not reappear, emergency services were called to the beach shortly after 4pm, triggering a search operation.
NSW Police confirmed on Tuesday that a man’s body was located offshore about 12.20pm and is believed to be that of the missing swimmer.
One of Peng’s friends, identified only as Lee, told 7News that the group realised something was wrong only when they were preparing to leave and Peng had not come back, despite telling them he would “be right back”.
“The distance between us was quite large, and the rocks blocked our view, so we couldn’t see him at all.”
Friends described Peng as confident in the water and familiar with the area, often visiting Maroubra Beach to collect sea snails. He had moved to Australia from Harbin in northeast China more than two years ago and was studying while working part-time in construction.
Lee remembered Peng as a positive and gentle presence among his friends.
“He was kind-hearted, easygoing and genuinely good to everyone,” he said.
“He was like a little ray of sunshine, always smiling.”
Another friend said Peng cared deeply for his parents, making his sudden death especially difficult for those close to him.
“All of his friends are really struggling to accept this,” Lee said. “It all happened so suddenly.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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