Heartbroken friends pay tribute to Sydney man after Christmas Day drowning

Friends and family of a Sydney man who tragically drowned in Hawkesbury River on Christmas Day have remembered him as a “loving and hardworking” person.

A sportsperson drowns in Hawkesbury River on Christmas Day in Sydney.

Key Points

• Sunny Dutta drowned in Sydney's Hawkesbury River on Christmas Day.
• As a professional boxer and coach Mr Dutta loved recreational activities.
• Sunny Dutta's has left behind his distraught wife and parents.

Sunny Dutta migrated to Australia about 16 years ago for the sake of a better future.

Talking to SBS Punjabi, his friend Maninderpal Singh said, "He was a very amiable and cheerful person. Through his hard work, he made great progress in boxing and in his profession in real estate".

"On Christmas Day, Mr Dutta went to have fun with his friends at Sydney's Hawkesbury River. He jumped into the river for swimming. But due to the strong flow of water, he could not control himself and lost his life."

Sportsman and Boxer Sunny Dutta had recently become a coach. Credit: Maninderjit Singh

Mr Dutta had recently taken over as a boxing coach and was also working in the real estate business.

"Being a boxer, he was in great health and was a good swimmer, but this time fate had something else in store for him," said Mr Singh.

"Besides his family members, his friends and community are deeply shocked by his sudden death."