Man dies at Auckland's Goat Island beach

1:54 pm on 28 December 2022
The Goat Island or Leigh marine reserve is New Zealand's oldest fully protected marine area.

A man has died at Goat Island beach. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A man has died after being found unresponsive on a popular Auckland beach this morning.

It comes as police urge people to be safe around water after a number of water-related deaths in recent days.

Police said officers were called to Goat Island beach around 11:40am on Wednesday.

A man was found unresponsive and confirmed dead when ambulance staff arrived.

Police said he was transported to Warkworth's ambulance station and inquiries were ongoing to determine what had happened.

Meanwhile, police rescued a man and his dog missing from a Baileys Beach campsite just prior to Christmas.

Sergeant Colin Ware of the air support unit said the rescue involved Dargaville Police, Northland search and rescue and the Eagle helicopter.

On 22 December, police received a call just prior to 10pm that the man was missing.

Ware said family and friends had been out looking for him but the incoming tide was making the search difficult.

The Eagle quickly located the man and his dog stranded by the tide on the beach.

Police were able to get to him, and provide food, water and warmth.

"This was an excellent demonstration of the life-saving work our teams conduct every day and we're thrilled to have reunited this family so quickly."

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