Person dies after being pulled from water near Waiotapu geothermal area

A person has died after being pulled unresponsive from the water near the Waiotapu geothermal area.

Police have launched an investigation into the sudden death, which is being treated as unexplained.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the Waiotapu Loop Rd at around 6.15am today following reports of a sudden death.

One person is assisting police as they work to determine how the person ended up in the water.

“Inquiries are now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the death,” a police spokesperson said.

A scene examination will take place today to gather more information about the incident.

The Waiotapu area, a 25 minute drive south of Rotorua, is home to a famous geothermal attraction in the Taupō volcanic zone.

The tourist destination is characterised by large, colour-varied hot pools and mud pools, heated by the active geothermal conditions occurring below ground.

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