A competitor in the Iron Māori multisport event in Napier on Saturday morning has died during the swim leg.
Emergency services and members of the public were seen on the beach at Ahuriri’s Perfume Point holding up tarpaulins to shield the body.
Police described the incident as a “sudden death” and said it was reported shortly after 7.40am.
A message from Coastguard Hawke’s Bay posted on social media said the person who died was a competitor and the death occurred during the swim leg of the event.
![Emergency services and members of the public at the scene of the death in Napier on Saturday morning. Photo / Connul Lang](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JLWH4EAXMBCWVLZAY5VKUCAJKA.jpg?auth=562cd1015bdebe4874e48d1c523dc0b29666b202afa9af5383d445a0b9c7971a&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)