A man has died after being found unresponsive on Auckland’s Goat Island beach this morning.
A Police spokesperson confirmed that they responded to reports of a man found unresponsive around 11.40am.
“When ambulance arrived on scene the man was confirmed to be deceased,” said Police.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed that they responded with one ambulance and two operations managers.
The man has been transported to Warkworth ambulance station.
Inquiries to determine what happened are ongoing.
Goat Island dive and snorkel was approached for comment but declined to talk.
This is the fifth separate water tragedy reported this week.
One man died after a canoe capsized on Lake Roto Kohatu in Harewood, Christchurch, on Christmas Day.
Two people were in the canoe and one was rescued, but the man did not resurface.
The Herald reported today that the man had bought the vessel as a “surprise gift” for the family, according to his wife.
The man’s body was recovered on Boxing Day.
There were also two drownings on Boxing Day in South Auckland and Ōpōtiki and another one early yesterday morning at Kaitoke Regional Park in Upper Hutt.
Police today issued a long list of advice and tips for those who plan to spend time in the water - whether swimming in rivers or at the beach, diving or boating.
It comes as Surf Lifesaving New Zealand also announced it is extending patrol hours along the Mount Maunganui coastline due to the number of people getting into trouble - with 10 rescues involving 19 people on Boxing Day alone.
“Sadly, each year our staff see tragic outcomes occur in and around water,” a police spokesperson said, explaining that last year was the worst for drownings in a decade with 90 deaths.
“Over the course of 2022, the Police National Dive Squad has been called out to assist with several searches for missing divers, swimmers or boaties, and many of those searches involved recovering people to return to their loved ones rather than getting them home safe.
“This is not the outcome anyone wants. We want everyone to come home to their whānau after a day enjoying the water,” Police said.
MORE TO COME.
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