Two Christmas Day drownings in Northland prompt safety warnings from Surf Lifesaving
Thursday, 26 December 2019
Two drownings on Christmas Day have prompted an urgent safety plea from Surf Lifesaving.
A man died after being swept off the rocks while crab-fishing at Uretiti Beach, Waipu at about 10.10am on Christmas Day.
Later, a second person died following a snorkelling incident in Kai Iwi Lakes near Omamari about 3pm.
Surf Lifesaving's chief executive Matt Williams said the unfortunate events during the festive season were a prompt for the public to stick to key beach safety messages.
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'The man in Waipu was believed to have been crab-fishing off the rocks when he was swept away,' Williams said.
'Rock-fishing continues to be a standout cause of drowning with the latest crab fisherman fatality in Northland being unfortunate news on a day of celebration and joy.'
Lifeguards from Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Patrol and Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club were alerted to assist the troubled fisherman and launched a water search with Northland Rescue Helicopter.
The man's body was found and recovered from the water around midday.
Police confirmed the second death of the man in Omamari.
Thousands of Kiwis visited patrolled beaches on Christmas Day, Williams said.
In Auckland, Orewa lifeguards closed the beach after confirmed sightings of a shark in the water.
At Long Bay, lifeguards launched a land-based search for a missing person who was later located.
Other major incidents include lifeguards at Whangarei Heads assisting a patient experiencing chest pains in a nearby bach and Pakiri lifeguards briefly closing the beach due to the presence of orca.
Williams said the incidents and activity at the beach were a prompt for the public to think about beach safety.
They include:
Swimming between the flags and only swimming at beaches patrolled by lifeguards.
Keeping young children within arms reach and watch out for rips, which can carry people away from the shore.
When fishing from rocks, always wear a lifejacket.
'It's these decisions that will help keep you and your family safe these holidays,' he said.
Visit Safeswim for real-time safety information for Auckland beaches.