Police officer dies after fitness test

A Horowhenua police officer collapsed and died following a routine police physical fitness test.

Sergeant Stephen McCarthy, 54, collapsed after a three-minute endurance test at Springvale Stadium in Wanganui on Thursday, the Wanganui Chronicle reported.

Fellow officers attempted to resuscitate him using an on-site defibrillator but he died soon after arriving at Wanganui Hospital.

Central police district commander Superintendent Russell Gibson said Mr McCarthy headed the police youth services team in Levin for 12 years and was highly respected in the Horowhenua community.

"He had an excellent rapport with young people, especially those at risk, and spent a huge amount of his time working with youth, their families and other community groups," he said.

- NZPA