Person dies after falling into water at West Auckland beach

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

A person has died after falling into the water at a West Auckland beach.

Police received a report a person had fallen into the water at Whites Beach, Anawhata, about 3.15pm Tuesday.

The person was recovered from the water by surf lifesavers.

“Sadly attempts to revive the person were unsuccessful, and they have died at the scene,” a police spokesman said.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region spokesman Alan Gibson said two lifeguards from nearby Bethells Beach and two from Piha were called to the incident.

The Piha lifeguards arrived at the scene in an inflatable rubber boat first and pulled the person from the water.

They attempted to give CPR on the shoreline but it was unsuccessful.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter was also called to the scene.

The death will be referred to the coroner.

In a statement, Surf Life Saving said the cause of the incident is not yet known.

However, the organisation asked that people take “extreme care” at beaches on Auckland’s west coast.

“The beaches are very dangerous when the surf is running high.”