Multiple critical incidents in one evening on Auckland’s west coast

Lifeguards and SAR squads from Muriwai, Bethells Beach, Piha and Kariaotahi were all activated to separate rescues on Monday between 6.19pm and 7.51pm in a huge night of activity for Surf Life Saving and emergency services.

Four major responses occurring in one evening, all within close proximity, is highly unusual, particularly so early in the summer season. 

James Lea, Surf Life Saving’s Operations Manager for the Northern region, said it is likely that last night’s conditions created a “perfect storm” in terms of risk to swimmers. 

Lea said; “With such hot weather across Auckland attracting more people to beaches after lifeguard patrols had closed, combined with moderate and clean surf (1-1.5m would have looked smaller and safer than usual), plus a low tide around sunset, the risk last night was high.  

“On Auckland’s west coast, rips are stronger at low tide due to the movement of the water, and the changes in the seabed increase hazards like sand bars and in-shore holes. We know conditions will be similar tonight, so we really want to make sure people understand these risks and make safer decisions.” 

Monday night’s incidents included: 

Lake Wainamu, Te Henga (Bethells Beach) 

At 6.10pm Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Club was called to nearby Lake Wainamu after Police were notified that a swimmer had submerged and did not resurface. Lifeguards and SAR responded, as did Police Eagle and Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Police resumed their search this morning. [For more information, contact the Police media team] 

Muriwai 

At 7.09pm, lifeguards pulled one person out of the water shortly after patrols finished for the day, gear was being packed up, and beachgoers were being informed it was no longer safe to swim. Two lifeguards were still at the tower and saw a man in distress, one responded with a rescue tube and the other with a board and both brought him to shore. Lifeguards performed CPR on the patient who was not breathing, before he was transported to hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter (that had been diverted from Lake Wainamu). 

Kariaotahi  

Police advised Surf Life Saving at 7.16pm that two swimmers were caught in a rip near the Kariaotahi Surf Lifesaving Club, and SAR responded with one RWC (rescue water raft) and two IRBs (inflatable rescue boats). One person brought safely to shore, while the team searched for second person. The person was located by the Eagle and recovered from the water by lifeguards. CPR was initiated before paramedics declared the person deceased.

The following morning, a rahui was put in place at Kariaotahi by local iwi. 

Piha 

At 7.51pm a successful mass rescue of four people took place at Piha; with off-duty lifeguards rescuing three people, and one person then being pulled from the water by lifeguards in an IRB. An ambulance attended and the group was assessed at the scene.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand would like to offer sympathies to all the whanau in our communities who are impacted by last night’s incidents. 

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our lifeguards, duty officers, Surfcom operators and others in our lifesaving community for the hard work and skill being put into keeping people safe this summer.