Harrison Kadell with friends at the St Thomas More College formal. Source: Quest Newspapers
A TEENAGER from Queensland has drowned at an island resort in Fiji during Schoolies celebrations.
The school-leaver who drowned is Harrison Kadell, 17, the vice captain of private Catholic college St Thomas More College at Sunnybank, Brisbane.
His grief-stricken family will fly to the Pacific island country to bring his body home.
Reports from other teens at the resort suggest a "breath dare" game in a pool at the Plantation Island resort may have gone horribly wrong.
A statement from Plantation Island Resort, where the teen died, said the incident was "a terrible accident that happened very quickly".
"Despite the best efforts of resort medical staff and Unleashed (Travel) crew, we were unable to save him," the statement said.
"Unsubstantiated reports of drinking games and parties around the pool are untrue."This was a terrible, tragic accident and we are all very sad about what has occurred."
A Sydney mother whose son was staying at the same resort told News Ltd on Tuesday that the teen drowned in a pool at the resort last night.
Another mother had contacted her by SMS this morning to say a group of Schoolies were believed to have been doing "underwater breath dares" when something went tragically wrong.
Rescuers performed emergency resuscitation but were unable to save the boy, she said.
Brisbane Catholic Education spokesman John Phelan told AAP the school community is shocked.
"He was a good role model and an outstanding young man," he said.
Harrison had been vice captain of the class 2012.
The principal of St Thomas More College says Harrison excelled in academics and was an age champion in athletics.
"It's a terrible loss for our community," Peter Elmore said.
"Harrison was such a fine young man, so well connected to our college community.
He said Harrison's mother Selina was a chair of the college board and former student of the college, while his sister Jordan was college captain.
His brother is currently in Year 10.
Mr Elmore is contacting other Year 12 students to advise them of the death and offer support, Mr Phelan said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death of a man, 17, but declined to comment further.
"We can confirm the death of a 17-year-old male from Queensland in Fiji overnight," said a one-line DFAT statement.
Calls to Plantation Island Resort, where the incident is believed to have occurred, were diverting to another resort.
Staff who answered the phone was unable to shed any light on the incident.
"I'm sorry we don't have information on that."
A Fiji police spokesman said about 500 Schoolies are staying on the island, and they are holding nightly parties between 7pm and 5am.
The travel company, Unleashed Travel, which booked the Schoolies trip to Fiji, has described the death as a "tragic accident".
"The parents of the teenager involved in the tragic accident at Plantation Island Resort have been notified and all other guests are safe and well, being well cared for during this unfortunate time," the travel company posted on Facebook.
Travel websites say Plantation Island resort is the largest in the Mamanuca Islands and set on a picturesque beach and "ideal for romantic getaway, honeymoon or family holiday".
Are you in Fiji? Email reporter David Murray
- additional reporting by AAP
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