A 26-year-old Indian student, who was rescued from drowning in the sea in New Zealand and admitted to a hospital in critical condition, died today after struggling for life for five days.
Police said Boobesh Palani died at Wellington Hospital surrounded by his friends.
Palani, who was studying in New Zealand, was rescued from the water at Burdan's Gate, Eastbourne, on Monday by two teenage girls and two young men.
Palani's identity was initially unknown. But a person identified him after seeing his photo on New Zealand news websites, New Zealand Herald reported.
Cousins Kelly McKay 15, and Payge Olds, 16, were with a groups of friends when they heard that Palani was in trouble.
Payge swam between 70-80m out to the drowning man, guided by two men on the shore who were shining lights on the water.
When she reached Palani he was completely submerged.
When Palani was eventually pulled to shore, Kelly performed CPR before emergency services arrived.
Palani's family thanked the public for their support over the last few days.
