Player drowned after epileptic fit - Coroner

The rugby player who drowned while swimming off Akitio beach earlier this year had been warned to stay away from the water after having an epileptic fit while swimming, a coroner's report has said.

Eroni Ravanga Gaunavou, 22, went missing while swimming with friends at Easter weekend. His body has never been recovered.

The Fiji-born man was in Wairarapa on a three-month visitor's visa after being asked to play for the Puketoi Rugby Club.

About 4pm on April 9, Mr Gaunavou and three friends had decided to go for a swim. The weather was fine although the sea was described at "rough with a lot of white water, and cold, with an incoming tide".

One of the friends noticed Mr Gaunavou, who was wearing shorts, appeared cold with his arms crossed.

"Mr Gaunavou was observed to tilt forward and fall gently into the water." The friends thought he was "playing around" and expected him to stand up, when a wave washed over him.

He was seen about 5m away and face down in the water, but shaking as though he was having a fit. Another wave washed over him and he was never seen again.

Mr Gaunavou had been diagnosed with epilepsy in 2011 after a seizure in a swimming pool.

Coroner CJ Devonport said Mr Gaunavou had also suffered a head injury while playing rugby against Eketahuna the week before.

He was satisfied that on the balance of probabilities Mr Gaunavou had suffered an epileptic seizure in the water and drowned.