Police urge caution after drownings

Police have warned people going into rivers, lakes or the sea to recognise their limitations. File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Police are urging people to take care around water this summer after three people drowned yesterday.

Inglis Tutuhou Henry, 72, of Gordonton, north of Hamilton, died off the coast of Ruamahanga, 16km north-east of Thames, about 2pm, police said.

His death was not considered suspicious.

About an hour later, Hamilton man Wayne Tehau Belmont, 42, drowned while free diving for paua with four other men off Waikato's east coast.

Mr Belmont was about 30m from shore between Kawhia and Albatross Point when he became tired and began to struggle.

A fellow diver helped him to a rock but the pair became separated in a swell.

Mr Belmont was later found face down in the water.

A three-year-old boy also drowned while swimming in a river with other children at Ruatoki, near Whakatane.

The boy was swept downstream and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Police warned anyone going into rivers, lakes or the sea to recognise their limitations.

- NZPA