Search underway for fisherman missing off rocks at Piha beach in Auckland
Tuesday, 20 April 2021
Emergency services are searching for a man who went missing while fishing off rocks at Piha beach in west Auckland.
A police spokeswoman said the man and a friend had gone out to the beach early on Tuesday morning.
About 5.30am the fisherman was reported missing.
The police Eagle helicopter and a Waikato Rescue helicopter were both at the scene, the spokeswoman said.
**READ MORE:
* Woman, 23, who died after fall from rocks into water at West Auckland beach named
* Off-duty lifeguards save fisherman swept off rocks at Piha, West Auckland
* Body of fisherman who got swept off rocks near Whatipu Beach found
**
They were also being assisted by Piha Surf Club.
John-Michael Swannix, search and rescue supervisor for Surf Life Saving Northern Region, said the United North, Piha and Bethells emergency squads were called to the scene early on Tuesday morning.
“Because of large swells at the beach we were stood down,” he said.
“At the moment we’re assisting police.”
There was “pretty big surf” at Piha currently, Swannix said, with a swell of 2.5 metres.
He said surf lifesavers were often called to respond to people being swept off the rocks in the Piha area.
“People should remember to wear a life jacket, and never underestimate the water.”
Philips Search and Rescue Trust spokeswoman Sharni Weir said, the Waikato Rescue Helicopter had attended the scene, just before 6am.
Weir said the man had gone out fishing at 3am.
“The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter searched for the man for about an hour, until we were stood down by police.
“Police will continue their search alongside surf lifesaving.”
Kylan Dray, who has been a member of Bethells Beach Surf-Lifesaving Patrol for 25 years, said he had been involved in numerous rescues of people who had been fishing off rocks in west Auckland.
”Along with wearing a life jacket, people fishing should remember never to wear gumboots, cut the line if it gets caught up in the rocks and never go down to untangle it, never turn your back on the water, tell someone when you’re going and coming back and don’t go out if the surf is over one metre.
“You can always replace your fishing rod and tackle, but you cannot replace your life.”
Dray said incidents like this are happening far too often.
Piha beach, on Auckland’s west coast, is known for its strong surf and rugged scenery.
The water is known for having strong and often dangerous currents, and is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months.