Mother of teenagers who drowned last Friday says they were always by her side

Kamal Singh, the mother of teenagers Shivneel and Shalvin who drowned in Dreketi River in Vuda Point, Lautoka last Friday says her two sons were always with her as they did everything together as a family.

She says 17-year-old Shalvin, 18-year-old Shivneel and his twin sister Shayal and their two friends were playing when the incident occurred.

Police say Shivneel was trying to get the ball from the water and when he struggled to surface, Shalvin came to his assistance and it was during that time when they drowned.

She says her daughter Shayal and older son Himendra are still trying to come to terms with the loss of their brothers and they are in disbelief.

Singh says Shivneel was always joking with his sister and made her laugh while Shalvin always said he wanted to become a joiner so that he could earn a lot of money.

She says her sons were always helping around in the community and always helped in the yard and planted vegetables in their garden.

Singh says funeral arrangements have been made with the help of her family and friends.

She says she lost her husband in 2013 and she runs a handicraft shop to take care of her family.