Black Sea coastline. According to local media the man, Gregory John Heffernan, had arrived in the resort town of Vama Veche on September 2. Photo / iStock
A 44-year-old kiwi tourist has drowned in the Black Sea, in a coastal town in south-east Romania.
According to local media the man, Gregory John Heffernan, had arrived in the resort town of Vama Veche on September 2.
Mr Heffernan checked into a hostel at 1pm local time and headed directly to the beach.
Romanian media reported that lifeguards saw him a "short distance from the shore."
They tried to get his attention to return to the beach, but by the time they removed Mr Heffernan from the water he had drowned.
Mr Heffernan is reported to have arrived in Romania with an American woman on the day of his death.
It took authorities 24 hours to learn his identity after they canvassed hotels in the town.
A death notice for Mr Heffernan in The Press newspaper said he would be "dearly missed by his many friends."
He had family in Canterbury and also Abu Dhabi.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said he was aware of the drowning.
"The Ministry and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels are providing consular assistance to the family."
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.