Two teenage girls risked their lives trying to rescue a drowning man . Police launched an urgent appeal to help identify him . A police in Sri Lanka recognised Boobesh Palani and notified the authorities . The 26-year - old student from drowning died in Wellington Hospital . prior to the appeal his family and friends were with him in his final days . Kelly ##e and Payge Olds pulled Mr Palani from Wellington Harbour . Payge , 16 , swam 70 yards out to the man in the pitch pit . Kelly , 15 , performed CPR on the man until police arrived .
Two teenage girls risked their lives trying to save a drowning man . Police launched an urgent appeal to help identify him . A man in Sri Lanka recognised Boobesh Palani and notified the authorities . The 26-year-old student from India died in Wellington Hospital . Thanks to the appeal his family and friends were with him in his final days . Kelly McKay and Payge Olds pulled Mr Palani from Wellington Harbour . Payge , 16 , swam 70 metres out to the man in the pitch black . Kelly , 15 , performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived .