Cook said the “shock” was “still very real” for staff.
“They all did what they’ve been trained to do.
“A big shout out to my team - they were amazing and the community and the police, ambos [ambulance], paramedics, everybody worked so well together.”
A Hato Hone St John spokesman said it was notified of an incident in Pāpāmoa Beach at 2.29pm yesterday.
One patient was assessed at the scene and transported to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition, he said.
Hato Hone St John responded with two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles.
Te Whatu Ora has been approached for comment.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.