Chinese tourist who died in Taupo stream named as San Qing Lu

Otumuheke Stream at the Taupo spa park where a man died on Tuesday. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

The man who died at a spa park in Taupo on Tuesday has been named as San Qing Lu.

He was a 69-year-old Chinese national, a spokeswoman from the coroner's office said.

Lu was discovered unresponsive at the Otumuheke Stream Spa Park, in County Ave, Taupo police said.

St John Ambulance were called to the park close to the town centre just after 12.30pm on Tuesday but were unable to revive him.

Lu had been bathing alone in the Otumuheke Stream at the Taupo spa park. The thermal stream had bathing pools which were popular with tourists and locals.

Senior Sergeant Phil Edwards of Taupo police said the man was found face down and unresponsive in a pool just above a bridge which crossed the stream.

Two other tourists found him, began CPR and raised the alarm.

Edwards said police had the man's passport and would contact his next of kin.

Local iwi Ngati Tuwharetoa had been advised and would be performing a blessing in the area, Edwards said.

The matter was referred to the coroner after a police investigation was completed.