"Whangamata drowning prompts water safety warning from Police"

Waikato Police are working with the local district council to establish the circumstances surrounding a drowning in the Whangamata Harbour this afternoon.

Area Response Manager for the Thames Coromandel, Senior Sergeant Graham Shields said emergency services were called to the wharf off Beach Rd about 2pm after reports of a paddle boarder trapped under a boat.

"At this stage we can't confirm the exact circumstances but it appears that the boat was moored at the time and a teenage girl on the paddle board was swept underneath by a combination of wind and a strong current. People at the scene rescued her and commenced CPR which was continued by arriving medical and ambulance staff. Sadly these efforts were not successful in reviving her.

"A lot of people worked really hard to keep her alive and our thoughts are with them and her family."

Mr Shields said the priorities for Police at present are establishing what has happened and ensuring the victim's family, some of whom who are at the scene, get the support they need.

"We will work with the Waikato Regional Council Harbour Master to establish exactly what occurred and see if anything can be learned to prevent repeat incidents in the future".

Mr Shields said today's incident was a reminder of how quickly a fun time on the water can go wrong.

"Seventeen agencies, including Police, Surf Life Saving and the Waikato Regional Council, who employ the Harbour Master's, have all been working under the umbrella of the Safe Summer Coromandel campaign to prevent deaths on the Coromandel this summer. Regional council staff in particular have spent long hours on the water over the last few weeks trying to keep people safe.

"At this point the agencies urge people to take the time to identify what tides and currents are doing and never underestimate the power of moving water. Also be aware of the limits of your own abilities in the water."

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