Sister devastated over teenager's drowning

The body of a missing 16 year-old male international student is removed from the Waitangi Lagoon.

The sister of the teenage boy who drowned at the weekend is reeling at the loss of her beloved brother.

Her 16-year-old brother died while swimming on Saturday at Waitangi Lagoon in Awatoto.

The boy was living with his host family at the time but also had close family in the region.

His sister had travelled to New Zealand to help him settle into the region before he started at a local high school next year. She was staying at a separate host family in Hawke's Bay. A member of her host family who did not want to be named said, "It was an absolute tragedy - it's just a tragedy for Napier.

"His sister is devastated."

Her host family had been assisting international students for about 30 years. "We've had 26 of them over the years from all over the world. You worry about them, and you treat them like your own family when they're there. It's awful, they're like your own children, you care for them, they're like an added responsibility."

The heartbroken sister was now staying with family.

The New Horizon College of English student had been swimming with another international student, and their host family, in a sheltered arm of the estuary near where water from the Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and Clive rivers enter the sea.

A police spokesman said it appeared he had "gone out of his depth and got into trouble, which a lot of people do".

Emergency services, including a dive team, several boats and the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter were called in for the search which concluded on Sunday, the day after he disappeared. The student's body was found close to where he had entered the water.

The director of New Horizon, Ewen Mackenzie-Bowie, flew into the region yesterday and visited the mortuary when he arrived. He chose not to comment yesterday, but said earlier that the team was "liaising with the police and a lot of people are traumatised".

The dead teen's father was expected to arrive in the country yesterday.

The teenager's host family could not be reached for comment.

Police have not yet released the name of the teenager.

BE PREPARED

* Wherever possible, choose a patrolled beach (findabeach.co.nz) and swim between the flags.

* If you're away from home, check with the locals and ask them about the conditions and the safest place to swim.

* Always keep a close eye on children in or near the water.

* Get a friend to swim with you - never swim or surf alone.

* Watch out for that rip - rips are calm, deep patches of water close to shore that can sometimes have waves breaking to the side. Rippled, discoloured or foamy water with debris can also mean there is a rip present.

* Don't overestimate your or your children's ability to cope in the conditions. Preferably be in the water next to them at all times on a surf beach.

* If in doubt, stay out!

Source: Surf Lifesaving New Zealand