A string of drowning incidents along Auckland’s west coast beaches has raised serious safety concerns for beachgoers.
On Monday evening, a 26-year-old man died while swimming at Karioitahi Beach. Earlier the same day, police divers recovered the body of a swimmer who had fallen into a hole at Lake Wainamu near Bethells Beach and did not resurface. That swimmer’s body was found on Tuesday.
Bethells Beach’s Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving unit reported that five lifeguards and a police eagle helicopter were unable to locate the 23-year-old man after responding to the incident on Monday.
In total, Surf Life Saving’s northern region operations manager James Lea described four separate, nearby incidents on Monday night that required lifeguard intervention, including the two fatalities. One additional person required hospitalisation after lifeguards pulled them from the water just after patrols ended and gear was being packed away. Beachgoers were warned that swimming might no longer be safe.
There was also a mass rescue at Piha Beach around 7:51 pm. Lea attributed the heightened risk to unusually warm weather drawing more people to beaches after lifeguard patrols end for the day around 7 pm. He noted that recent conditions featured strong rips at low tide around sunset, creating a “perfect storm” for swimmers.
Lea offered practical advice: even if confident in the water, pause to assess the environment before entering. Check whether the conditions match one’s skill level and safety. With similar conditions forecast, authorities planned to boost lifeguard coverage, though much of the extra capacity depended on volunteers.
People who choose to swim when lifeguards are off duty do so at their own risk. Lifeguards aren’t always present, so if unfamiliar with a beach, it’s safer to swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty. If someone is in trouble and lifeguards aren’t available, the recommended action is to call the police and provide precise location details to speed response.
The Lake Wainamu incident serves as a stark reminder that drowning can occur in any body of water. Officials indicated the swimmer likely lacked confidence, was not a competent swimmer, or unable to float, noting that Lake Wainamu’s shoreline drops off quickly and a person who is out of depth and unable to float can submerge within seconds.
Surf Life Saving extended its sympathies to the families and whānau affected by Monday’s events.
Karioitahi Beach case details: Counties Manukau South Area Commander Police Inspector Jared Pirret said that around 7:10 pm, two men were observed struggling to reach shore. Lifeguards managed to help one man back to safety, while a Police Eagle Helicopter located the second man in the water. Unfortunately, the second man could not be revived after reaching shore. Inspector Pirret expressed condolences to the man’s friends and family, as well as to the responders who did everything possible.
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