One Indian man lost his life in an unfortunate drowning incident in Hawkes Bay, while his wife was dramatically rescued by the locals at the beach.
The Napier couple visiting Hawkes Bay area got into trouble in the waters of Waimarama Beach on Sunday, January 14, prompting several brave local goers to jump into the water trying to save them.
The efforts of a 16-year-old local Cameron McCallum has been applauded for pulling out the wife Tanya Bhavsar safely to the shores along with another friend who got into trouble in the waters.
However, their best collective rescue efforts could not save the life of the husband, who has been reliably learnt as an Indian National Hemin Limbachiya.
This is the second instance of loss of life by drowning in the Hawkes Bay region.
Emergency services were called at around 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, on the beach following reports of three people being pulled out from the waters in distress.
The trio was drifted 100m to 200m away from the patrol into the sea, which was previously considered to be unsafe for swimmers.
Rescuers of Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club and a local rushed to save the swimmers in distress and fished out two men and a woman.
One of the two men pulled out from water was given CPR for more than 20 minutes by the rescuer, but he did not respond.
Mr Limbachiya’s’s wife Tanvi Bhavsar and their other rescued friend were later taken to the Hawkes Bay hospital in moderate to serious condition.
As per reliable sources, the two rescued from the beach Tanvi Bhavsar and another male is in a stable condition at Hawkes Bay Hospital.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Hawke's Bay callout squad coordinator Phil Harman said locals were the first to rush into the water as soon as they saw the hand raised for help from the sea.
Although the weather at the beach was good and sea conditions normal, club members encouraged beachgoers not to swim in the north part of the beach for the last three days.
Mr Limbachiya’s body has been sent for post-mortem.
Local iwi placed a rahui at the beach to restrict people from going into the waters and lifeguards are patrolling the area for the next two days.
The High Commission of India in New Zealand is in touch with Mr Limbachiya’s friends.
More details are awaited.
