The owner of nearby tourist attraction Waterworks, who wished to be know as Jeff, said about 2pm a person ran onto his property saying a person was lying on the floor near the road.
Jeff said the person was “shot in the chest” and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I ran out with my first aid kit and put him into the recovery position... I gave him CPR for 15 minutes before the Westpac Helicopters arrived.”
He said a second person was lying on the ground in close proximity, who he believed had been shot in the shoulder.
Jeff said the pair had been shot by a third person. “They didn’t shoot each other.”
The alleged shooter is understood to be a Coromandel farmer.
A local who said he knew the alleged shooter all his life described him as a nice guy and a bit eccentric.
He said the farmer has been picked on by poachers and it got to breaking point.
Person flown to hospital after shooting
Two Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters are in attendance at The 309 Rd, which has been closed by emergency services.
“Crew are transporting a patient to Auckland City Hospital from the Coromandel following a shooting incident this afternoon,” an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesperson said.
Crew are transporting a patient to Auckland City Hospital from the Coromandel following a shooting incident this afternoon.
Image: Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident in Waiau at 1:56pm today.
“One ambulance, one first responders unit, and two helicopters attended,” a spokesperson said.
“One patient in a serious condition is being airlifted to Auckland City Hospital.”
Graphic / NZME
A police spokesperson said they were responding to a “critical incident” in Waiau this afternoon.
“The 309 Rd is currently closed and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
