Man killed in waterskiing accident

File photo / Thinkstock

A 57-year-old Hamilton man died after a water skiing accident on Lake Taupo on Saturday, police say.

Cornelius Van Deursen had been participating in an organised speed water skiing event on the lake when the accident happened.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen from Taupo Police says emergency services were called to the Three Mile Bay boat ramp at Wharewaka Point around 11am.

"When police staff arrived at the scene, the man was being attended to by medical staff associated with the speed skiing event, as well as St Johns Ambulance staff from Taupo.

"He was transported to Taupo Hospital, but he died later that afternoon."

Senior Sergeant Jeurissen says a police investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading up to the accident.

"At this stage it appears that the man was speed skiing behind a boat when he became injured and got into difficulties."

Police have been speaking to witnesses as part of their investigation.

It is understood that the organisers of the event decided to stop the event following the incident.

- HERALD ONLINE