A woman died in the Far North after a boat capsized this morning, spilling herself and two others into the water.
Emergency services were called to the incident at 11.15am. The woman, in her 60s, died at the scene at Houhora Harbour’s East Beach, while two others had minor injuries, police said.
The woman's next of kin have been notified and the death will be referred to the Coroner. Police, Coastguard and St John attended the incident.
On Boxing Day, two men got caught in a rip at Onemana Beach and one died.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand said the pair were believed to be swimming north of a patrolled area on the Coromandel Peninsula when they got into difficulty just before 3pm,
The incident happened outside the flagged area but a lifeguard managed to swim out to the two men and bring them ashore, where he began CPR on one of them.
The lifeguard was joined by three others and CPR was carried out for 15 minutes until an ambulance arrived. One of the men died at the scene. The death has been referred to the Coroner.
On Christmas Day, two people died in the water.
A crab fisherman was swept away in Bream Bay about 10.10am. Ruakaka‘s Inflatable Rescue Boat recovered the body about midday after a comprehensive water search with Northland Rescue Helicopter.
The second Christmas Day drowning involved a snorkeller at Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland about 3pm.
Surf Life Saving northern region chief executive Matt Williams today advised people to be ready and prepared when visiting and enjoying the beach this summer.
“Recreational activities like crab and rock fishing are high-risk and the consequences can be fatal.”
Williams said northern region lifeguards have been busy managing a range of incidents in different locations, working tirelessly to keep the public safe.
“If you’re rock fishing, the most important thing to remember is to wear a lifejacket at all times. If you are going out swimming, choose a lifeguard-patrolled beach and stay in between the flags.
"It’s these decisions that will help keep you and your family safe these holidays,” he said.
Meanwhile, one person was taken to a Christchurch hospital in a critical condition, but later died, after a drowning incident on Valecrest Ave in the suburb of Parklands about 4.30pm on December 22, police said.
And a day earlier, a man died after being swept off rocks at Cape Saunders on the Otago Peninsula. Another man suffered serious injuries.
- NZ Herald, RNZ, ODT and Star News
