Teen who drowned in Hutt River named

The 19-year-old woman who drowned in the Hutt River yesterday was Wendy Tuuina.

Ms Tuuina was swimming with her sister near Trentham in Upper Hutt when she got into trouble in deep water, police said.

The river was at normal levels but she was not a strong swimmer.

People on the shore spotted her waving for help, but by the time they pulled her from the water Ms Tuuina had stopped breathing.

Emergency services were called and an ambulance staff member talked the caller through the CPR procedure until firefighters arrived to take over.

Despite their efforts Ms Tuuina died at the scene.

Her death has been referred to the coroner.

- NZPA