Drowning at Mangawhai Heads

 

Waters at Mangawhai Heads surf beach sadly claimed the life of a male swimmer on January 19. 

Police report that the man, yet to be identified, had been found unresponsive by members of the public and attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.

Due to the hot weather and clear sky the beach was beginning to fill with swimmers when the incident occurred around 11.30am. 

The crowd watched as two lifeguards sprinted for the water with a rigid inflatable boat in tow, heading for a group of surfers and retrieving the man before landing back at the northern part of the shore. 

Seven lifeguards in total were involved with the rescue, some attending to the man while others drove police and volunteer fire fighters to the scene. St John was also in attendance. 

While there was a decent surf for boogy boarders and surfers, weather and water conditions were not a high concern on the day. 
 Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner.

- REPORTING / JULIA WADE