Mates gave drowned surfer CPR
Surfers tried to revive a man who was found unresponsive in the water at a coastal Taranaki break on Saturday.
Police, the fire brigade and St John ambulance were alerted to the drowning at Lower Puniho Rd, just south of Okato, about 6.20pm.
The 58-year-old man was not able to be revived and died at the scene.
Acting Sergeant Kelvin O’Byrne said the man was surfing at his local spot when he died.
‘‘We don’t know how but he has ended up drowning,’’ O’Byrne said.
He said the death would be referred to the coroner, as it was believed a medical condition could have contributed to the fatality but it hadn’t been confirmed.
The man’s name wouldn’t be released until all of his relatives had been notified.
Okato fire chief Jared McBride said the man was surfing with his friends when tragedy struck.
‘‘From what I understand the guys who were with him found him in the water and brought him back to shore and started CPR and just continued that until we arrived,’’ McBride said.
There were plenty of surfers at the popular point break.
McBride said firefighters were at the scene for about 45 minutes but the man could not be revived.
‘‘It is never easy going to one of these calls especially when the result is not good.’’
Surfing Taranaki chief executive Craig Williamson said the organisation’s thoughts were with the dead man’s family and friends.
‘‘It’s obviously a tragedy for his friends and family.’’
The man is the second surfer to die in Taranaki this year. In March Ian Parker, of the Orewa Longboard Club, who was taking part in the Stand Up Paddleboard division of a New Plymouth Surfriders Club event at Ahu Ahu Rd came off his board and had to be dragged out of the water.
Parker was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital in a critical con- dition but he died a few days later.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Jonty Mills said one drowning was one too many.
‘‘Any drowning just has a huge impact on a family firstly, then a community, and then the wider country,’’ Mills said.
He said New Zealand’s waters were unpredictable and people must understand the conditions as the summer season began.
‘‘It’s certainly important to know your limits and understand the risks and also be prepared.’’
Boaters needed to wear lifejackets, he said. The numbers show they save lives. It’s important to go with a friend if you’re diving off the coast, or swimming in a river. Kids need to be under constant supervision while in the water.
‘‘It’s not just the seas, it’s rivers and lakes and swimming pools.
‘‘Rivers are an important one, and most of this year’s drowning toll has been in the rivers.’’
Saturday’s drowning happened at a time when the Oakura Boardriders Club was celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Maori Surfing National Championships were being held in Taranaki and the region was also hosting the Opunake Kneeboard Surfing Classic where competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Brazil were competing for the Tasman Cup.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokeswoman Lisa Smith said it was not ideal coming into the summer period.
‘‘Any drowning is always very disappointing and we are always aiming for a zero drowning toll,’’ Smith said.
She said there were 15 beach drownings in New Zealand last summer but none were at patrolled beaches.
‘‘We really want to see that come down this year.’’
Smith said the number one message was to swim at patrolled beaches, never swim or surf alone, always keep an eye on children near the water and know your limitations.
Taranaki beaches would be patrolled from November 26.