Swimmer dies despite rescue by lifeguards

A swimmer died despite desperate attempts to revive him at Mount Maunganui beach yesterday afternoon.

Eastern Region surf lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-campbell said the man was rescued from the surf by Omanu lifeguards after a bystander saw him in difficulty and alerted police about 1pm.

“This happened very quickly between Tay St and Omanu Beach, and possibly the swimmer walked into the surf, then got caught in a deep inshore trough, before being quickly swept away,” he said.

Gibbons-campbell said Omanu lifeguards were able to find the swimmer but he was unable to be revived.

Lifeguards from Tay St, Omanu, and Mount Maunganui all responded to the incident, and Omanu lifeguards initially performed CPR on the man before St John ambulance officers took over, he said.

Gibbons-campbell said volunteer members of the Western Bay of Plenty Surf and Rescue Squad also responded to support the lifeguards.

He said the lifeguards were on duty doing regular roaming patrols, including talking to beachgoers about staying out of the water, but unfortunately, the swimmer got into difficulties some distance from where the lifeguards were patrolling.

Gibbons-campbell said the sea conditions are “very rough’, with big swells, and because the water quality along the coastline from Mount Maunganui to Omanu was poor after the recent bad weather there were red no-swimming warning signs out.

“It’s absolutely gutting this has happened and it’s a tragedy for the patient, his family, and for everyone else involved in trying to save him.”

Gibbons-campbell said there was a big surf with 1.5m swells yesterday with a “very deep” inshore trough running right across the coastline, with a “lot of energy and movement underneath the water”, especially between Omanu beach and Tay St.

He also said that in an “unprecedented move,” a public health warning notice had been issued for people to stay out of surf because of the high risk of getting ill as water quality was “very poor” after the bad weather.

Gibbons-campbell said he was “very concerned” that if the weather improved, people would head to the beach and want to go for a swim.

“I really urge people to stay out of the water until we get the allclear to put out our flags again.”

Police confirmed that emergency services attended the scene of a water-related incident on Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui.

Police were called about 1.50pm, a police spokesperson said.

“Sadly, one person has died at the scene. Cordons were in place while emergency services responded to the incident.

“The death will be referred to the coroner,” the spokesperson said.