Man died trying to save cousin

Police divers from Wellington arriving to search for a missing man on McLaren Falls Lake. Photo/John Borren

A young man who jumped into Lake McLaren in a desperate bid to try to save his drowning cousin lost his own life in the attempt.

The body of one of the cousins was found at the Bottom Flat area of the park yesterday morning. Police found the other body the night before.

One of the cousins had been mucking about with friends and used a rope tied to a tree to swing out over the lake when it snapped.

Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Craig Madden said the man did not know how to swim and his cousin attempted to rescue him but also drowned.

He had a beautiful soul. He didn't do alcohol or smoke. He was a funny guy. He loved to dance. He loved to travel.

Friend

Mr Madden said there was a deep drop off of 4m to 6m beneath the swing's reach.

"It's really unfortunate that this has happened," Mr Madden said.

A friend said he was was one of the last people to see the men alive.

"They were here [on Monday], all four of them. They were talking to me, playing pool. They were here until about 4pm. They left and went straight out to McLaren Falls," he said.

He is now spearheading a fundraising drive to bring the parents of one of the cousins over from India for his funeral. He has been liaising with his friend's family and friends and also talking with the two survivors.

"They are in shock. They aren't really talking," he said.

Police divers at Lake McLaren. Photo/John Borren

The man was close with one of the cousins and described him as "a good guy, a really nice guy".

"He had a beautiful soul. He didn't do alcohol or smoke. He was a funny guy. He loved to dance. He loved to travel. We went to the National Park and went skiing. [Monday], we were planning a trip to the South Island."

His friend was drowning when the cousin jumped in to try to save him. He was joined by the other two men.

"All four of them jumped. When the others jumped in, they were both drowning but when they saw them going far away and they didn't know how to swim they grabbed the bushes and climbed back up."

He said the group of friends were from northern India where there was no significant beaches or rivers. Only about 20 to 30 per cent of people from the area knew how to swim, he said.

"I think it's very important to learn to swim here. If you're staying in New Zealand, learn to swim.

"Because accidents, if something happens, there's no way to come out of the water."

A rahui is now in place on the lake, meaning a ban has been put in place for any fishing, swimming or other recreational activities until Saturday.

Another friend and workmate said he was still struggling to accept his friend was gone.

"He was really close to us," he said.

"I texted him [Monday] night to say I hope he was okay and if he was gone, to come back again in my life. I just can't believe it. I just can't."

Visibly upset and clutching his phone, he said he spoke to his friend on Monday to ask if he could borrow a lawnmower.

"That was the last time I spoke to him."

The remains of a rope which snapped, sending a young man into the water at McLaren Falls. Photo/John Borren

Tauranga City Council parks and recreation manager Mark Smith said visitors and families often put up rope swings but the council cut these down at least a couple of times a year.

"We will probably be cutting them down more often now," he said.

Mr Smith said he did not know how long the rope had been up for, or what condition it was in.

"It's just a tragic incident."

Mr Smith said council would consider putting up signs warning people of the hazards of the lake, but would wait until the police investigation was complete before making any decisions.

About 2pm yesterday, aborists arrived and began removing low hanging limbs from trees along the river's edge.

Mr Smith said his and his staff's thoughts were with the families and friends of the two men.