Police have named the teenaged girl who died while out paddle boarding in the Whangamata Harbour yesterday afternoon.

A tragic set of circumstances combined to take the life of 15-year-old Amie Louise Russell of Morrinsville, says Thames Coromandel Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Graham Shields.

Police have identified the teenage girl who drowned in Whangamata Harbour yesterday afternoon as 15-year-old Amie Louise Russell of Morrinsville. Photo: File

'At this point Police would like to extend their sympathies to Amie's friends and family for her loss,” says Graham.

'Police are assisting the Waikato Regional Council's Harbour Master's Office in investigating what has occurred.

'At this stage it appears two people were on a paddle board crossing Whangamata Harbour when they were caught in a strong outgoing current about 2pm.”

Combined with strong winds this current forced the board under a moored yacht.

Graham says one of the people on the board jumped clear but Amie was unable to and was submerged under the water for several minutes.

He adds: 'People at the scene pulled her from the water and commenced CPR which was continued onshore by arriving medical and ambulance staff but this was ultimately unsuccessful.

'At this point we would like to again 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 and those of the people with and around you.”