Diver dies in South Taranaki

A diver has died at a South Taranaki beach.

Initial indications are that the man was shore diving at the beach near Puketapu Road, Pihama, with another man at the time he got into trouble shortly after 4pm yesterday.

Emergency services received a report at 4.25pm that a diver was unconscious on the shoreline, a police statement said.

The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter also attended.

The second man was uninjured and police were making sure he was supported, a police spokesperson said in a statement immediately after the incident.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

The area is a popular diving spot but is mostly private land, and divers need to text a number to get permission to access the coast.

The coastline is mostly cliff, and the beach is only accessible by a walking track.

Bryan Campbell, who owns the land next to where the accident happened, said the whole area is his family’s land.

He said the coast was ‘‘famous for fishing’’ and people often dived for paua.

Yesterday was an excellent low tide for diving, but visibility may not have been the best, he said.

‘‘It happens from time to time. Like everything, there’s risks involved.

‘‘The helicopter has been here a couple of times.’’

When asked if it was dangerous, Campbell said it was ‘‘typical west coast’’.

‘‘It’s not the (calmer) east coast.

‘‘You’ve got to have a diving buddy.’’

He said his father used to dive for crayfish in the area where the accident happened, and on one trip, ‘‘three of his mates didn’t come back’’.

And eight years ago, two men came out of a dinghy while fishing and were washed up on the coast nearby, he said.