Lights, rails could have prevented drowning
Police re-visit the pier where a 42-year-old man fell and drowned on Sunday night.
Photo: Chris Hillock/Fairfax NZ A drowning at Raglan on Sunday night could have been prevented if safety measures were in place, says a local fisherman.
A 42-year-old man drowned after he fell off the end of Raglan Wharf while fishing with a friend.
The pair had gone down to the wharf about 11pm and a while later one man fell into the water while casting off at the end of the pier.
Police praised the efforts of his friend who jumped into the strong current to try and save him, pulling him to shore and onto rocks. But it was too late. The man had been face down and unconscious in the water for too long, said Western Waikato on-call manager, Senior Sergeant Rupert Friend.
‘‘Despite the best efforts of the rescuer the man died and his death has been reported to the coroner,’’ he said. ‘‘While extending our sympathies to the deceased’s family we would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the man who tried to save him in what were difficult conditions.’’
But Raglan Seafoods owner, Mark Mathers, said had there been proper lighting and handrails, the tragic event may not have occurred.
He said many of the leaseholders on the Raglan Wharf had approached the Waikato District Council to provide lighting, but to no avail.
‘‘It’s an ongoing problem with the security and lighting around here. On that side it’s completely dark. We’ve had several meetings with council over safety issues, but they continue to ignore it,’’ he said.
Mr Mathers said there was always someone on the wharf fishing at night and while it was ‘‘quite common’’ for people to fall into the water, most managed to swim back around to the pontoon. It was the first time he had heard of anyone drowning.
But as there was a lack of lighting and safety measures on the wharf Mr Mathers said it was ‘‘only a matter of time’’ before someone was hurt.
‘‘I’m just amazed it hasn’t happened earlier. I’m amazed there hasn’t been more incidents with people getting hurt without rails up here,’’ he said.
Mr Mathers believed the council should also look at restricting the hours the wharf was available.
‘‘Should public really have access after hours? It’s an operational wharf. It’s a safety issue. I think there should be a time limit . . . But then how do you police it?’’ he said. ‘‘It’s nice having the public around but we don’t want to be responsible if someone gets hurt.’’
It is not the first safety issue tenants have had since the new $1.9 million wharf building was opened.
Waikato District Council service delivery general manager Tim Harty said the community’s safety was paramount but a balance had to be found between public access and use of the wharf and the need to maintain an operational site.
‘‘Regular dialogue with interested parties has occurred over the years, some of which has been about safety at the wharf,’’ Mr Harty said.
‘‘Formal investigations are underway but in the meantime council staff will immediately review the current safety measures in place.’’
In April, Raglan community members were fired up about the lack of connected fire alarms in the buildings – seven months after it opened. The original building was destroyed by a fire in 2010.