Tragedy on Marine Parade
A 7-year-old boy who drowned after being snatched by a wave and swept out to sea at Te Awa, Napier, on Friday was a much-loved twin.
He has been named as Marama Te Pou.
Marewa School confirmed in a Facebook post that Marama, known as Boombie, died after the tragic accident on Marine Parade.
Rescuers tried desperately to reach the stricken boy after he was snatched by a wave as he played in the surf at the Napier beach.
A statement from Marewa School to its community said:
“It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of one of our students in a tragic accident on Friday night.
“The wha¯ nau have asked me to let the wider community know that Marama Te Pou has sadly passed away after a tragic accident on Marine Parade.”
The statement also said Marama was the beloved son and paua of Liana Te Pou and Marama Te Waa, much-loved brother of Neshaiah and Chaz, Mithias and Autumn, Sapphire and Cedar, Shavaughn and Nathan, Halo and his twin Te Whetu Kotahi.
Two police constables, both trained lifesavers, a 27-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, entered the water and managed to reach Marama. He was plucked from the water by a rescue helicopter but could not be revived.
A witness who watched the tragedy unfold said other would-be rescuers who tried to reach the boy were beaten back by the “horrendously huge” waves.
“They were crashing them back into shore. They just couldn’t get out there,” Haumoana resident Erin Marsh said.
“It made you want to jump in to try and help, but you know you shouldn’t.
“It was the most horrendous feeling standing there knowing that people need help but you physically cannot do anything,” Marsh said.
It is understood the boy was among a group who were swept out to sea from the water’s edge beside a freedom camping ground.
Napier City Council is to review its beach hazard warnings following the death.
“In light of the tragic drowning, we will review how we can make people more aware of the dangers swimming along Marine Parade,” a council spokeswoman said.
“We urge you to stay away from Marine Parade Beach.
“The combination of unexpected waves and sudden drop-off makes this beach dangerous for swimming.”
“We created a brochure for locals and visitors with information about Marine Parade with suggestions of other city beaches that are more suitable for the average swimmer,” she said.
The council spokeswoman said the signs were replaced in 2017 after a beach assessment by Surf Life Saving NZ, which highlighted the hazards on Marine Parade.
“A reminder for those looking for a spot to swim — make sure you are swimming between the flags and at beaches monitored by lifeguards,” the council spokeswoman said.
“We will work with Surf Life Saving and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council again to see what else we can do to raise awareness.”
Surf Life Saving NZ urged beachgoers to be extra vigilant when taking to the beach, and reminded the public to “keep children close enough to cuddle and never swim alone”.
“People think they are able, but haven’t done an honest check of themselves,” Surf Life Saving NZ lifesaving manager Allan Mundy said.
“If they are in doubt of their ability in conditions then stay out, don’t go in.
“The waves might look all right, but the rips are still there.
“If you’re unsure that what you’re looking at is a rip, don’t get in the water.
“If in doubt, stay out.” “Swim between the red and yellow flags at a lifeguarded beach and remember the three Rs: Relax and float, raise your hand and ride the rip,” he said.