KEY POINTS:
A man who collapsed after swimming 2.8km from Milford to Takapuna beach yesterday died shortly afterwards.
The Herald understands the 64-year-old had a heart attack close to the finish line of the King of the Bays swim meet yesterday.
Rob Drent, who was watching the event, saw a "commotion" break out as organisers, swimmers and emergency staff dragged the man to shore and attempted to revive him with CPR.
The man was taken by ambulance to North Shore Hospital where he died.
Event director Scott Rice said the death was tragic in what was otherwise a happy and fun day.
"He had just finished the race and was making his way to his feet when he collapsed and stopped moving."
Mr Rice said more than 870 people competed in the race, and among them were many getting on in age.
"We had an 81-year-old and some in their seventies and their sixties."
The death is the second in recent Auckland Harbour swim events.
In November 2005 Fraser Gregory Moors, 36, suffered a suspected heart attack during the Harbour Crossing swim from Stanley Bay in Devonport to the Auckland Viaduct.
