Man who drowned collecting shellfish in Invercargill named by police

The man was collecting shellfish offshore with friends when he appeared to get into difficulties in the water. Photo / Thinkstock

An Invercargill man who drowned while collecting shellfish off Ocean Beach in Bluff yesterday has been named by police.

Craig Arthur Reid, 42, got into difficulties in the water at around 2.30pm.

He was brought to shore by his friends who immediately started CPR on him.

Specialist medical assistance arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and continued CPR but Mr Reid could not be resuscitated.

The death has been referred to the coroner.