Surfers talk of crowding after fatal collision

Surfers at the Wellington bay where a fatal collision took place on Monday say overcrowding is often a problem, but no one was to blame for the incident.

Palmerston North resident Tony Robert Costa, 33, drowned after being struck on the head by another surfer's board at the eastern side of Lyall Bay.

Fellow surfers struggled to get Mr Costa to shore following the collision and were not able to resuscitate him. Surfers told TV3 News Lyall Bay was a popular spot in certain conditions and could get crowded.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andrew Compton from Wellington CIB said witnesses were still being interviewed, but following a post-mortem examination today police had ruled out any suspicious circumstances.

The official cause of death will be determined by a coroner.

Mr Costa, who used to live in Wellington, left a wife who is pregnant and two young daughters. Local surf shop RealSurf has set up a fund to raise money for them.