A rare and tragic drowning at Piha Beach has prompted a warning from Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ), after 25- year-old Abhishek Arora, lost his life while swimming in a patrolled area, The New Zealand Herald reported.
Abhishek was caught in a rip last Tuesday afternoon while swimming with friends between the flags at the West Auckland beach. Despite the presence of lifeguards, he was swept away while six others were rescued.
Police later informed his family in India that a body found at Bethells Beach, north of Piha, three days later was believed to be his.
Water Safety New Zealand data shows that between 2015 and 2024, 186 people drowned while swimming in New Zealand. However, only one other drowning had occurred in a "regularly patrolled" area in the past decade—also at Piha in 2021.
“No other records in the past decade mention a close relationship with a patrolled area,” New Zealand Herald quoted the organisation.
SLSNZ confirmed that Abhishek and his group of friends had been within the designated swimming zone.
The swimmers were in the flagged area which meant surf lifeguards were watching and were able to rescue six out of the seven swimmers.
The conditions at the time were rough, with a choppy 2.5m swell, strong winds, and low tide—factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
SLSNZ general manager Andy Kent stressed that conditions on Auckland's West Coast beaches can change in an instant and swimming between the flags is an important safety measure, it does not eliminate all risks, Herald reported.
He also urged those who are not strong swimmers to reconsider entering the water at these challenging locations.
A standard review into the circumstances of Abhishek’s death will be conducted by SLSNZ.
Abhishek, who moved to Auckland eight years ago from Ambala, India, was described by loved ones as a man with big dreams. Family friend Jessica Jason said his partner, originally from Sri Lanka, was devastated.
Initial reports suggested that Abhishek was engaged, but Jason clarified that while the relationship was serious, the couple was not about to get married.