Auckland beach drownings: Four rescues, two dead in 90 minutes spark safety plea

Two people lost their lives in just 90 minutes this week, and several more were injured in the water across Auckland, prompting calls for vigilance from surf lifesavers.

James Lea, Surf Life Saving’s operations manager for the Northern region, said the rate of rescues was highly unusual so early in the season.

Lea said Monday’s conditions created a “perfect storm” of conditions that put swimmers at risk.

“With such hot weather across Auckland attracting more people to beaches after lifeguard patrols had closed, combined with moderate and clean surf (1-1.5m would have looked smaller and safer than usual), plus a low tide around sunset, the risk last night was high.

“On Auckland’s west coast, rips are stronger at low tide because of the movement of the water, and the changes in the seabed increase hazards like sand bars and in-shore holes.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand operations manager James Lea.

The rescues began at Bethells Beach at 6.10pm. Surf Lifeguards were called to nearby Lake Wainamu after police were notified that a swimmer had submerged and did not resurface. The body of the 23-year-old swimmer was found the next day.

Then at 7.09pm, lifeguards spotted a person in distress in the water in Muriwai shortly after beachgoers were informed it was no longer safe to swim.

He required CPR after two lifeguards brought him to shore and he was transported to hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter that had been diverted from Lake Wainamu.

Just minutes later, at 7.16pm, two swimmers were caught in a rip near the Kariaotahi Surf Lifesaving Club.

One person was brought to shore safely while guards searched for the other, supported by the police Eagle helicopter.

He was later found and brought to shore, not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

A rāhui is now in place at the popular beach.

The last rescue of the evening was of four people at Piha at 7.51pm. Off-duty lifeguards rescued three people, while one other was brought to shore on a rescue boat.

The group were assessed at the scene by an ambulance.

Lea extended his sympathies to the families of the people impacted by Monday’s events.

“We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our lifeguards, duty officers, Surfcom operators and others in our lifesaving community for the hard work and skill being put into keeping people safe this summer.”