Man found face down in the surf at Pāpāmoa Beach dies

A man has died after being found face down in the water near Harrison's Cut at Pāpāmoa Beach.

A near tragedy has occurred at Omanu Beach, the day after man died despite desperate efforts to save him when he was found floating face down in the surf near Harrison’s Cut at Pāpāmoa Beach.

Surf Lifesaving NZ Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell told the Bay of Plenty Times that members of the public had noticed the man floating face down in the water about 5.45pm on Monday, brought him to shore and began CPR.

Shortly after an off-duty surf lifeguard walking by also jumped in to help resuscitate the man until emergency services personnel arrived, he said.

Gibbons-Campbell said sadly the man, in his 40s or 50s, could not be resuscitated despite nine rounds of chest compressions and further attempts by Fire and Emergency staff to revive him.

He said the man was found about 1.2km from the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club, where lifeguards were still on duty, but because the man was found face down in an unflagged area of the beach near Harrison’s Cut the lifeguards could not see him.

“This unfortunate tragedy is a sad reminder to everyone why it was so important to never swim alone and only swim in the area on a beach where the lifeguards’ flags are out, and they are on duty to see if you get into difficulties.”

Surf Livesaving New Zealand Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo / Alan Gibson

Gibbons-Campbell said it was not only the risk of getting caught in a rip and being dragged out to sea, but also the reality that anything could happen, whether it’s a heart attack, or another medical event or serious injury.

Inquiries were continuing to establish how long the man had been out in the water and how far out from shore he had floated before being found, he said.

The surf conditions were “pretty mundane” today, he said.

The exact cause of the man’s death would not be determined until a post mortem was carried out.

Police and ambulance staff also attended the incident, Gibbons-Campbell said.

Police have confirmed a person has died.

Emergency services were called to the incident about 5.30pm on Monday.

The person was pulled from the water and medical attention was provided, however, the person died at the scene, police said in a statement.

Gibbons-Campbell said there was another water-related incident around 3.15pm today.

He said a member of the public called the police after seeing a woman screaming and waving her hands for help about 50 to 70 metres from the beach about 1km south of the Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club. The woman was not swimming between the flags, he said.

“Omanu lifeguards responded but they could not find anyone in difficulties, and when the police called the informant back they were told that after about 10 minutes the woman managed to get herself to shore and then left the beach.”

Gibbons-Campbell said it was another example of the importance of swimming between the flags as “this incident could have ended in tragedy”.