Water rescue at Kaiate Falls

Emergency services are at Kaiate Falls, where a man drowned after midday. Photo/Ruth Keber

Updated 2.15pm: A man has drowned at Kaiate Falls.

Police northern communications Inspector Andy Brill said a man had drowned in the swimming hole at the falls.

Police said in a statement that the man was 29-years-old and he drowned after getting into difficulties at the swimming hole. Police will be investigating on behalf of the coroner.

Earlier: A Mount Maunganui St John spokesman said two ambulances had been called out to Kaiate Falls following reports of a person in trouble in the water.

Police northern communications Acting Inspector Spencer Matthews said emergency services were responding to a potential drowning at the falls.

A reporter at the scene said there were two ambulances, two fire trucks and three police cars at the Kaiate Falls car park.

She said people were being turned away from the falls.