Seven-month-old dies at Whitianga marina

The Whitianga marina, where the young boy tragically drowned. File photo / NZ Herald

A 7-month-old boy died after falling into the water at a Whitianga marina yesterday.

The boy was on holiday with his family from Auckland when the incident occurred.

They were at the marina and the boy fell into the water, police said.

Emergency services staff tried to revive the boy after he was pulled from the water, but he died at the scene.

"This is an absolute tragedy for all who were involved,'' a police spokesman said.

It would be up to the coroner to determine whether the boy drowned or died from another cause.

The incident happened about 9.45am, Senior Sergeant Rupert Friend said.

The boy's parents and another child were at the scene at the time, and the little boy was found near a wharf in the water, Mr Friend said.

"We're trying to work out exactly what the circumstances are around it and how he ended up in the water.''

Victim Support were supporting the family.

Waikato police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.