Swimmer dies in Taupo race

Photo / Alan Gibson

A man has died while competing in the 2.5 kilometre Taupo Epic Swim today.

The swimmer got into difficulty while in the water and the water safety team responded immediately, but he was not able to be resuscitated by St John Ambulance.

St John Ambulance confirmed it was called to Lake Taupo where a man had gone into cardiac arrest.

It was not known whether a medical condition caused the drowning.

Swimming New Zealand chief executive Mike Byrne said there was a strong safety protocol in place and the team responded appropriately.

The annual Taupo Epic Swim draws in Olympic through to recreational swimmers to compete in races of varying lengths, including 5 and 10 kilometre swims.

About 500 swimmers competed in today's event.