Family day out ends in tragedy at Taupo¯

A family day out by Lake Taupo¯ ended in tragedy after a person died in what police are calling a water-related incident.

The man’s death on Wednesday was one of four to occur in water across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region in three days.

On Monday a 4-year-old girl died at Lake Rotokawau in Rotorua and on Tuesday an 18-yearold died at Lake Arapuni, while another person died on Wednesday at Karioitahi Beach.

Residents at Two Mile Bay said the person who died in Lake Taupo¯ seemed to be part of a large family gathering using a council barbecue and a swimming platform some 20 metres offshore.

A woman in the group was ‘‘absolutely distraught’’ as ambulance officers worked on the victim. ‘‘It is bloody sad.’’

Emergency services worked on the person for about an hour, said a man whose house overlooks the lakefront reserve where the group was gathered.

Meanwhile, the man who drowned at Karioitahi Beach, near Waiuku, on Wednesday was part of a group of four that were swimming outside patrol hours, a Surf Life Saving NZ statement said.

Members of the public alerted surf lifeguards that four people were in trouble in the water.

Three were able to return to shore on their own but the fourth person could not be revived.

Both deaths were referred to the coroner.

The high number of preventable drownings was ‘‘disheartening’’ Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) spokesman Ben Christie said. ‘‘It is surprising there have been so many in lakes. The most deadly aquatic environment is the beach and river.’’

However, Christie said, every body of water presented a risk.

When swimming in fresh water people were not as buoyant as they were in the sea, which Christie said some people were not aware of.

‘‘It makes it more draining when you are swimming in water with less buoyancy, you waste more energy.’’

Another issue with lakes people might not be aware of was they were a colder temperature, which also drained energy, Christie said. ‘‘People overestimate their ability and underestimate the risk.’’

Christie said children under 5 should always have constant adult support.

If you see someone struggling to swim, child or adult, Christie said to take a flotation device into the water with you.

‘‘Often you see the person going in to rescue [someone] is the one who drowns. If you can, get the person some flotation device but also dial 111.’’

He said adults needed to know the risks and know their limits.