Whakatane lagoon death referred to coroner

DPM 03Feb14 - INCIDENT: A motorised scooter is removed from Awatapu Lagoon, where a man is believed to have drowned.

Whakatane Police have said the 60-year-old man who died in the Awatapu Lagoon on Sunday had an existing medical condition.

Sergeant Yvonne Parker said the motorised scooter the man had been riding had been recovered from the lagoon and was undergoing an examination to see if there were any mechanical issues that may have contributed to the incident.

The man's death has been referred to the coroner.