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A five-year-old boy has drowned after being swept out to sea in Napier this afternoon.
The boy's death follows yesterday's drowning of a man who had been saving a group of children caught in a rip at Matapouri Bay in Northland.
Police Inspector Mike Coleman said the 5-year-old boy drowned today had been taking photos on the Napier foreshore, just behind the tourist attraction Marineland, when a wave swept him out to sea about 1pm.
A surf lifesaver had retrieved the boy from the water, after an attempt by a member of the public was unsuccessful, he said.
The boy had been taken to Napier Hospital with medical staff trying to resuscitate him, but he was unable to be revived, Mr Coleman said.
The death would be referred to the coroner, he said.
Yesterday, a 67-year-old Christchurch man swam in to help a group of children who got into trouble at around 5pm yesterday.
The man got the children to safety, but then got into trouble himself.
Police said surfers brought the man to shore and attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Northern Advocate reported victim support and police iwi liaison were last night helping the family of the man whose name would be released once relatives in the South Island were notified.
The man had celebrated his birthday just two days earlier, it said.
Matapouri Beach, just north of Tutukaka, has no surf patrol.
- NEWSTALK ZB
