Rescue bid fails after fall from wharf

The wharf in Raglan. File photo / Christine Cornege

A man dived into freezing waters to try to save a friend who was swept away after falling off a Raglan pier.

But although he grabbed his friend and swam him back to shore, the man could not be revived.

Western Waikato police on-call manager Senior Sergeant Rupert Friend said emergency services were called to Raglan Harbour about 12.30am yesterday after reports of a person being pulled from the water unconscious.

"It appears two men have gone down to Raglan Wharf about 11pm to go fishing and while casting off at the end of the pier one of the pair has fallen into the water and was swept away in a swift current," he said.

"His friend has jumped into the water to try and save him but, given the strength of the current, by the time he has gotten to his friend the man was already face down in the water and unresponsive."

The man struggled to get the 42-year-old unconscious man to shore. He eventually got him on to some rocks before racing off to raise the alarm, Mr Friend said.

"Despite the best efforts of the rescuer the man died and his death has been reported to the coroner.

"While extending our sympathies to the deceased's family we would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the man who tried to save him in what were difficult conditions."

The dead man and his friend are understood to be from Hamilton.

Bush Barton, of Raglan St John Ambulance, said paramedics and fire services were at the scene but the man could not be revived. He said it was not clear whether alcohol was a factor or if the man had hit an object while falling from the pier. Fishing vessels are normally tied up at the pier.