“The man was located in the water and was taken ashore in a critical condition,” police said. “Sadly, despite best efforts by emergency services, the man died at the scene.”
In pictures sent to the Herald, an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter can be seen landing at the beach.
A helicopter was pictured at Hāhei Beach in response to an incident reported earlier in the afternoon.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said surf lifeguards responded after police notified it of reports of a person in trouble in the water.
“SLSNZ immediately stood up the Hot Water Beach Search and Rescue squad, while surf lifeguards from the paid lifeguard service also responded,” a spokesperson said.
“Surf lifeguards travelled to Hāhei via road, and once they arrived immediately put a surf lifeguard into the water to respond with a rescue tube and fins while a rescue water craft (RWC) was launched from the beach.”
The person was found face down in the water and unresponsive.
Resuscitation attempts on shore by Hato HoneSt John Ambulance staff were unsuccessful.
SLSNZ offered its “sincere condolences” to the friends and whānau of the person, and said support had been offered to the lifeguards involved.
It noted the incident occurred at an unpatrolled beach, with the nearest surf lifeguards based at Hot Water Beach, about 8km away.
