Mount Maunganui lifeguards are urging the public to take extra care in the ocean after a woman died at Mount Maunganui beach last night.
Mount Maunganui surf lifeguards were called to assist a woman who collapsed on Mauao. Photos courtesy of Kent Jarman.
A woman was pulled from the water at around 6pm from the stretch of coast towards Sutherland Ave.
Ambulance and police officers were called to assist but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tauranga Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says the woman is believed to be from overseas and police are still investigating.
"We are still trying to determine whether or not it was a medical condition."
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service chairman Paul Treanor says public should take extra care in the water following the incidents last night.
"Last night's death was a tragic reminder of the need to treat the ocean with the utmost respect.
Off-duty lifeguards Callum Knox and Andrew Roy, who provided assistance, then pulled a 16-year-old Hamilton teenager from the water from the far end of Mount Main Beach.
The 16-year-old Hamilton boy was caught in a rip while swimming. The boy's uncle waved Andrew and Callum down as they drove past on a quad bike.
Andrew swam to the boy's rescue bringing him back to shore.
"There was a lot of water moving out there. It only took about 30 seconds to swim a couple of hundred metres out to him but it took us a good few minutes to get back in.
"He was certainly pretty grateful we were able to help him out."
The events follow an incident where a 63-year-old woman collapsed while walking up Mauao. The woman was attended to by surf lifeguards before being airlifted from the mountain by helicopter and taken to Tauranga Hospital.
Regional lifeguards are patrolling Bay of Plenty beaches for one more week, ending on February 8.
7 comments
Why helicopter
Posted on 03-02-2013 20:41 | By Mr bay
Surely a group of lifeguards could have carried the women off the mount that was helicoptered off. That's what we used to do. Seems that people rely on the expensive helicopter a bit much.
If we've got it, use it...
Posted on 04-02-2013 13:33 | By Kimberley
Except for you Mr bay, we'll gather the troops, strap you up, clamber down the Mount,put you into an ambulance and saunter across to hospital. Let's see if that 'golden hour' rubbish is true.
What ever
Posted on 04-02-2013 21:13 | By Mr bay
It's not like its remote or anything and there are four wheel drive tracks all over the mount and it only take 15mins to get to the mount.
If it was me
Posted on 05-02-2013 07:41 | By earlybird
or a member of my family I would certainly appreciate the rescue helicopter. I suggest Mr Bay that you contact the rescue helicopter management, identify yourself, and tell them that under no circumstances are they to despatch a helicopter to rescue you.
Mr Bay
Posted on 05-02-2013 10:01 | By Ted835
I was at the rescue. There were reasons for her been needed to be airlifted. 1) Her medical history meant time was critical. 2) She was not in a state to be stretchered in the heat. 3) she was half way up the stairs so no FWD are on the surf side of the mount. If you were medically qualified you might be able to find reasoning for the helicopter been needed instead you are just another person stuck in previous ways of dealing with emergencies. Do you know the cause of her collapse, no. We transport 99% of people back to the surf club for the ambulance however on the odd occasion more drastic measures are needed. We dont just use a tube to rescue swimmers these days do we? no we use irb's and rescue boards. Before commenting about how we rely on the helicopter perhaps think why it was used
Mr Ted
Posted on 05-02-2013 11:03 | By Ted835
Although I wasn't directly involved with this incident it was clear the right decision was made. money shouldnt come into the question with someone's life is at risk
Mr Bay asks a reasonable question ..
Posted on 05-02-2013 11:37 | By Murray.Guy
Mr Bay asks a reasonable question and as a likely contributor to the cost through ACC levies, donations, is entitled to ask. The use of a helicopter has increased significantly and there has been a corresponding shift in the rational for this. The cost is horrendous and with the increase must come cut backs in other critical health care services, coupled with huge increases in ACC levies. What hasn't changed is the constant cry for higher levels of service, and the failure of those who directly benefit from the service, to pay. The article doesn't identify the location (as in the steps).
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