Rock Fisherman Missing, Presumed Drowned at Piha Beach

A 35-year-old male is missing, presumed drowned, after fishing from rocks on the well known Dawsons Ledge which lies at the southern end at West Auckland’s Piha beach.

At approximately 17:40pm a member of the public raised the alarm with Surf Lifeguards who were on patrol at South Piha where the majority of beach-goers swim. Surf Lifeguards responded immediately with a large scale search for the missing man.

Surf Lifeguards from Piha and United North Piha patrols were tasked to the search along with surf life savings support service jet ski unit (Support 1) which responded from Bethells Beach. The search has now included a Coastguard Air Patrol and the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Emergency services continue to search the scene.

Whilst it is not yet known whether the missing man was wearing a lifejacket while fishing from rocks, Surf Life Saving New Zealand reinforce the importance of wearing these devices to protect people if they are unexpectedly immersed in the sea.

ENDS

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