Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) can confirm that surf lifeguards from Hot Water Beach this afternoon responded to a fatal drowning incident at Hahei beach.

At approximately 3:30pm, Police notified SLSNZ of reports of a person in trouble in the water and calling for assistance at the northern end of Hahei beach. SLSNZ immediately stood up the Hot Water Beach Search & Rescue squad, while surf lifeguards from the Paid Lifeguard Service also responded.

Surf lifeguards travelled to Hahei via road, and once they arrived immediately put a surf lifeguard into the water to respond with a rescue tube and fins while a rescue water craft (RWC) was launched from the beach.

With members of the public having lost sight of the informant, a search was conducted by RWC and by the surf lifeguard in the water, and the person was subsequently located face down in the water and unresponsive. The person was returned to shore, where Hato Hone St John Ambulance staff began resuscitation attempts, however these were unsuccessful. Rescue Helicopter and FENZ also attended the scene.

SLSNZ offers its sincere condolences to the friends and whānau of the person. Support has been offered to the surf lifeguards involved.

The incident occurred at an unpatrolled beach, with the nearest surf lifeguards located at Hot Water Beach, approximately 8km away.

Up to date information on surf lifesaving patrols and beach conditions is available on Safeswim.

© Scoop Media