Boy, 5, who drowned after falling from Devonport's Torpedo Bay wharf named

A 5-year-old boy who drowned after falling from the Devonport wharf has been named. Photo / Greg Bowker

A 5-year-old boy who drowned after falling from a wharf in Devonport has been named by police.

Haoran Chen, of Auckland, was this afternoon named by authorities as the youngster who died on Saturday. Haoran drowned despite a harrowing effort from at least two members of the public to get to him when he fell off the wharf in Torpedo Bay.

Emergency services were called to the area about 3.15pm.

Bayswater resident Bernard Riedl told the Herald at the time he jumped into the water after seeing what had happened.

He managed to get to the youngster.

"He put his hands round my neck,'' Riedl said.

Tragically, however, the pair became separated in the rough conditions.

The boy was later pulled from the water by members of Coastguard and medical treatment carried out. However, he died at the scene.

Police extended their condolences to the Chen family.

Members of the local community have also paid tribute to the boy, with flowers being laid at the site over the last few days.

Some businesses in the area also closed for the rest of the day as a mark of respect.

The death has been referred to the coroner.