Drowning victim had been drinking

A swimmer jumps off the swing at Mosquito Point in this 2001 photograph. Photo/File

Shaun McIvor had been drinking alcohol before his fatal attempt to swim across the Whanganui River last Friday, Sergeant Colin Wright has been told.

The friends with him at Mosquito Point, 10km from central Wanganui, told police at the incident that he had been drinking. They tried to convince Mr McIvor not to swim the 50m across the river. He intended to jump off the cliffs on the Upokongaro side.

He disappeared while swimming across the river. His friends looked for him, but could not find him. His body was recovered the next day by the police dive squad.

The level of alcohol in Mr McIvor's body will not be known until the results of a post mortem examination are available. At present there is no way of knowing whether alcohol was a factor in his death, Mr Wright said.

Mr McIvor's funeral is in Wanganui tomorrow. Mosquito Point, where he died, has long been a popular swimming spot for Wanganui people and has a rope swing- out over the river.

Commenters on the Chronicle Facebook page say the Whanganui River needs to be treated with respect.

Dylan Coffin-Kawhena said his whanau and he had great respect for the Whanganui River. "The waters act in very unusual ways, on that bend especially. It's not dangerous just at that point, the whole lot is and you can't take it for granted."

Keith Nuku asked why people continue to swim at Mosquito Point when so many lives have been taken.

The only other water-related incident at Mosquito Point that police are aware of happened in January 2012, when a woman was swept down the flooded river, clinging to a log. She was rescued in a concerted effort, and treated at Wanganui Hospital.

Mr Wright agreed that water should be treated with respect.

"People should avoid swimming alone, after drinking alcohol or if tired and unwell. People should also not enter the water if they can't swim, unless they have buoyancy aids and are being supervised.

"The river should also not be entered if it is running fast and the person isn't a strong swimmer. If in doubt, don't swim or enter the river."