Three drownings at New Zealand beaches on Boxing Day as lifesavers urge caution
Sunday, 26 December 2021
Three people have died in separate water-related incidents while swimming at beaches on Boxing Day, as surf lifesavers urge people to stay safe.
After two deaths earlier in the day, police confirmed a man drowned at Waiwera Beach just after 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
Another person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
**READ MORE:
* Person dies in water-related incident at Waikanae Beach, Kāpiti
* Person dead after water-related incident at Cape Palliser in Wairarapa
* Man's body pulled from the water at Days Bay
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Earlier, lifeguards pulled a 30-year-old man from the waves at Kariotahi Beach just after 2pm on Sunday after reports he was in trouble.
But they were unable to rouse him with CPR and he died at the scene, said Surf Lifesaving duty officer Faron Turner.
Turner said it was “a Christmas tragedy” as he reminded people to swim within their limits.
“It’s a tragic event at a West Coast beach which can always be dangerous.”
He said the team had been affected by the death and their thoughts and condolences went to the man’s family.
While only an hour earlier a woman died following a water-related incident at Waikanae Beach, Kāpiti, on Sunday, police have confirmed.
The incident was reported to emergency services at about 1.30pm.
Police are making inquiries in relation to all three deaths on behalf of the coroner.
Turner urged New Zealanders to remain vigilant while swimming at beaches and asked people to only swim within their limits.
It was the fifth water-related death in the Wellington region this week.
On Friday, a man died in a diving-related death at Cape Palliser.
On Thursday, a 47-year-old man’s body was recovered from Wellington harbour near the Star Boating Club on the capital’s waterfront, and police retrieved another man’s body from under the Days Bay wharf.
On Tuesday evening, the body of kayaker Jack Skellett, 23, was found in Wellington Harbour. He was formally identified by police on Thursday morning.