Two people are dead, one is missing and another person is fighting for their life after a spate of water tragedies this afternoon around New Zealand.
The incidents occurred in Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Mahurangi East, north of Auckland.
Another person is in a serious condition after being pulled from the water in Tasman District.
The incidents come amid a slew of heat warnings today, with temperatures hitting the 30s in some regions.
A person died after a water incident at a popular Canterbury tourist spot this afternoon.
Police were notified about 1.15pm that a person had been pulled from the water by the harbourmaster at Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.
“CPR was administered; however, sadly, they were not able to be revived,” a police spokesperson said.
Police said Drummonds Jetty on the main street Beach Rd was cordoned off while emergency services were working at the scene.
The death will be referred to the coroner.
The jetty recently underwent an extensive upgrade by Christchurch City Council, reopening to the public in February last year.
The upgraded jetty features a 108m-long floating pontoon, used by both recreational and commercial operators.
Meanwhile, police said emergency services were called about 2.55pm to a location off Poripori Rd in the Bay of Plenty, where a person had been pulled from the water.
“CPR was commenced, however they sadly died at the scene. The death will be referred to the coroner.”
A man is also missing after a water-related incident in the Waikato River this afternoon.
Police were called to the river near Graham Island, in Hamilton, about 3.30pm after a report of a struggling swimmer being swept downstream.
“They have not been located since. Emergency services remain on-scene carrying out a search of the area.”
Hato Hone St John was notified of another water-related incident at Mahurangi East, near Martin’s Bay Holiday Park, at 12.42pm that left a person fighting for their life.
It responded with one ambulance, one rapid response unit, one first response unit, one manager and one clinical support vehicle sent to the scene.
“Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported to North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.”
Auckland Council confirmed a water-related incident occurred on the beach adjacent to Martin’s Bay Holiday Park this afternoon.
While park staff assisted to help the person who was affected, there were already onlookers attending who were medically trained.
Martin’s Bay Holiday Park provided beach access to the ambulance, which transported the victim to hospital.
“We’re relieved that the person involved has survived this incident.”
Police said another person was receiving ambulance care after being pulled from the water this afternoon in Tasman District.
“Emergency services were called about 3.50pm to Riwaka Valley Rd after a person was pulled from the water. They are now in the care of ambulance services and are reported to be in a serious condition.”
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive, Glen Scanlon, urged people to keep in mind the key messages around water safety at this busy time.
“What we tend to see is so often those hot, calm days when people find themselves unexpectedly in more trouble because the conditions look so good,” Scanlon said.
He advised Kiwis to never swim or dive alone in any of New Zealand’s water environments.
“If you’re at a patrolled beach, please swim between the flags. Take advantage of the great surf lifesavers and the job they do to keep you safe.
“Please, if you’re fishing from land or from a boat as well, wear a lifejacket. It’s going to keep you really super safe.
“If you’ve got your kids, always stay close to them,” Scanlon said.