Tourist who swam with dolphins dies

File photo / NZ Herald

A woman has died swimming with dolphins off Kaikoura this morning.

Constable Dean Schroder understood the overseas tourist was in the water some time between 9am and 10am.

"The tourism operator's staff and ambulance staff attempted to assist her but she died once she got to [Kaikoura] hospital," he said.

The tourist is believed to be Swedish, but Mr Schroder said no details on the victim would be released until the next of kin had been notified.

Mr Schroder said the death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner. He said it was possible she had a pre-existing condition she was unaware of.

"It was certainly not related to the dolphin themselves," he said.

- NZHERALD STAFF