Second drowning death in Waikato in 24 hours

Wednesday, 6 January 2021

A person has drowned at Karioitahi Beach in north Waikato.

The person’s death comes less than 24 hours after a teenager went missing, presumed drowned, at a South Waikato lake.

Emergency services and police were called to a reported drowning at Karioitahi Beach, near Waiuku, just before 11am on Wednesday.

Police previously incorrectly stated that the drowning had occurred at nearby Lake Puketi.

“The incident was reported at 10.55am and sadly one person died at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.

“The person's death will be referred to the Coroner.”

Surf Lifesaving NZ northern region operations manager Alan Gibson said the lifesaving club had also been alerted to an incident and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter had been dispatched.

Both lake drownings come after a four-year-old girl died after drowning at Lake Rotokawau in Rotorua on Monday.