Near drowning at Mangawhai

Mangawhai Head’s volunteer lifeguards responded to a near drowning in the Mangawhai estuary on Monday, November 30.

A man in his mid 30s was swimming with his family when he got into difficulty in strong currents. St John ambulance responded and the lifeguard’s After Hours Call Squad was activated. The man required advanced emergency care. Lifeguard Jess Costello provided assistance to St John and Murray Dix provided water support via an inflatable rescue boat.

The man was later transported to hospital by the Northern Rescue Helicopter.
Mangawhai Lifeguard Service officer Tony Baker says the incident highlights the importance of swimming in safe areas around Mangawhai.

“Care should be taken when swimming in the estuary and swimmers should pay close attention to tide and currents,” he said.

Volunteer lifeguards are on weekend patrols at Mangawhai Surf Beach until April 5. The SLSNR Regional Lifeguard Service is providing professional lifeguard patrols on weekdays, between 10am-6pm, until February 19.