Surf Life Saving NZ Acknowledges Fatality at White’s Beach

Oct 6, 2020

Surf Life Saving NZ Acknowledges Fatality at White’s Beach

Volunteer Surf Lifeguards assisted in the recovery of a female patient at White’s Beach, north of Piha Beach on Auckland’s notorious West Coast this afternoon. The patient was pronounced deceased shortly after 4pm.

At 3:27pm on Oct 6, 2020, Piha Surf Life Saving Club and Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol Emergency Call-Out Squads were contacted regarding reports of a person falling off the rocks at White’s Beach and drifting out to sea.

The Piha Emergency Call-Out Squad IRB was first on the scene and retrieved the patient from the water. They returned to the shore line and began CPR until the Auckland Rescue Helicopter arrived and confirmed the patient was deceased.

The incident happened at a non-lifeguarded beach and outside of Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s patrol season.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the female who died.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand would like to thank all volunteers and emergency service personnel involved in the incident.

The death will be referred to the Coroner and Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Coastal Safety team will also work with emergency services to establish the circumstances.

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For more information, please contact:

Mackenzie Koppel

Surf Life Saving NZ Media & Communications Manager

021 757 433

mackenzie.koppel@surflifesaving.org.nz