A near tragedy has occurred at Omanu Beach, the day after man died despite desperate efforts to save him when he was found floating face down in the surf near Harrison’s Cut at Pāpāmoa Beach.
Surf Lifesaving NZ Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell told the Bay of Plenty Times that members of the public had noticed the man floating face down in the water about 5.45pm on Monday, brought him to shore and began CPR.
Shortly after an off-duty surf lifeguard walking by also jumped in to help resuscitate the man until emergency services personnel arrived, he said.
Gibbons-Campbell said sadly the man, in his 40s or 50s, could not be resuscitated despite nine rounds of chest compressions and further attempts by Fire and Emergency staff to revive him.
He said the man was found about 1.2km from the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club, where lifeguards were still on duty, but because the man was found face down in an unflagged area of the beach near Harrison’s Cut the lifeguards could not see him.