One dead after water emergency at Kawarau River, Central Otago

Police have confirmed a 19-year-old man has died while swimming in Kawarau River on Saturday.

A second person who also got into difficulty while swimming made it to the shore of Bannockburn Inlet safely. Emergency services were called to reports to of two individuals in trouble just after 1pm.

Cromwell chief fire officer Steve Shaw said he had heard that the youth was swimming out to the pontoon when he got himself into trouble and family members went to help him.

Shaw said the pontoon is less than 100m from shore, the inlet did not have a strong current and the conditions were "fine and calm" with a light breeze. He was not sure how deep the water is.

When the fire service arrived a few members of the public were there helping.

"There's probably only so much they could do," Shaw said.

"It's just tough on the families. It's never a nice incident."

Shaw said seven emergency service vehicles attended.

Crawford Brown lives in the area and went to ask if he could help.

An emergency services' worker told him it was too late.

"He said 'unfortunately the time to help has passed'."

The area where the incident occurred had a pontoon off-shore and a popular swimming spot, Brown said.

"It's an incredibly safe place and it's well-used by families."

It was sunny today, with a temperature of about 25C, he said.