Drowning victim was a 'superman'

A man who drowned trying to rescue his friend was a "superman" who had successfully saved others.

Richard George Kipa, 61, from Kawakawa Bay, died on January 6 while snorkelling off Pakatoa Island.

The self-employed carpenter's widow and three daughters attended the inquest in Papakura yesterday.

The family said Mr Kipa had rescued a struggling couple in the ocean a few years ago, and was always willing to help people in need. "He was our superman," said daughter Rose.

On the day of his death, Mr Kipa, his stepson, nephew and a friend spent the morning collecting shellfish.

Returning to the boat, friend Kyle Paniora got into difficulty in the current. Mr Kipa swam to his help and told him to take off his weight belt. Mr Paniora returned safely to the boat, but Mr Kipa drifted away, calling for help.

The boat's motor would not start, and by the time the vessel got near Mr Kipa, he was not breathing.

The cause of death was determined to be drowning in association with a heart attack, but it could not be determined whether the heart attack caused Mr Kipa to drown or was a consequence of his exertions.