The northern end of Hāhei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, where the tragedy happened. A young person died after falling off the cliff. Photo / Al Williams
The northern end of Hāhei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, where the tragedy happened. A young person died after falling off the cliff. Photo / Al Williams
A local councillor says she’s heartbroken for the families after the death of the young person and has reiterated the importance of sticking to paths in the area.
Police said the two people were both aged under 18.
Thames-Coromandel District councillor for Mercury Bay, Deli Connell, said people need to be aware of their immediate surroundings and take good care of themselves.
“I am just heartbroken for the families and first responders. It was a tragic outcome.”
The northern end of Hāhei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, where the tragedy happened. Photo / Al Williams
Connell said to her knowledge, Cathedral Cove had been very busy following its reopening in December.
“If you stick to the paths you are fine, it’s a bit like sticking to the speed limits on the road or taking note of warnings at the beach.”
Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Len Salt said details of the incident were still coming in and a police investigation would determine what happened.
“Our hearts go out to the families and the loved ones of the young person who lost their life ... it’s heartbreaking to happen at any time of the year, certainly at this time.”
“We understand it was the north end of Hāhei in a cliff area, I’m still waiting for a full briefing,” says Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt. Photo / Al Williams
Further details about exactly what happened would come from the police or St John, Salt said.
“We understand it was the north end of Hāhei in a cliff area, I’m still waiting for a full briefing.”
Salt said police were leading the investigation, and it was important that all matters were referred to them in the first instance.
“They are the appropriate authority to provide accurate details about what happened.”
“That area there has a mix of DoC land, there’s some council responsibility for some of the beachfront area and there’s a lot of private land which is above those tracks as well, and there’s a number of walking tracks and beach access areas as well down there.
“It’s a tricky area, we always encourage people to stay to the tracks to make sure that, especially after dark, that they take extra care.”
Asked whether there was appropriate signage in the area, Salt said the council went “to extraordinary lengths” to put up appropriate signs and give guidance to people in tracks and access areas that could be dangerous or might have difficult access, but in this case the details were not available.
The local community was upset after the fatal incident, he said.
“It’s never easy for communities to manage, but in this case where you’ve got a young person who’s lost a life in a holiday community, an area where people go to enjoy their summer, it has an effect, there’s no doubt about it.”
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