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Police have named the 5-year-old boy who drowned after being swept out to sea at a dangerous beach in Napier yesterday.
He was Jago Hohua Te Rangi Kara, of Hastings.
Jago's mother tried desperately to save her son after a wave hit him but she lost her grip and he was swept out to sea.
Police said the boy was playing in stones at the water's edge behind Napier's Marineland while his mother was taking photographs when the tragedy struck about 1pm.
The boy was swamped by the large wave and while his mother initially grabbed him, she lost her grip as the force of the water pulled him out.
Lifeguards, who were already in the water about 50m away for another rescue, pulled the boy ashore but were unable to revive him.
Marine Parade locals say the beach is notorious, with sudden dips underfoot and large waves.
Last April, a woman wading in the surf was swept out and drowned.
