Whitebaiter dies when large wave sweeps away group on Mataikona River

A whitebaiter died following a medical event when a wave swept away a group at the Mataikona River mouth on the first day of the season. Photo / Supplied

A whitebaiter has died on the first the day of the season after a wave swept away a group fishing on the Mataikona River.

A local resident told the Herald the whitebaiter was a 74-year-old man who suffered a heart attack while fishing.

"He was a local who went whitebaiting every year," the resident told the Herald.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of the incident at the Mataikona
River mouth.

Police were called about 2pm after the group of whitebaiters were swept into
the water by a large wave.

They say all of the people returned to the shore, however the one person died following the incident.