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The death of 51-year-old Glorit man, at Te Arai Beach in 2022, has prompted Associate Coroner Seung Youn to issue a water safety message.
Coroner Youn found that Scott Gray drowned at Te Arai, with ischaemic heart disease noted as a condition contributing to the death. It was believed that the combination of waves, mid tide, rip currents and sudden changes in water depth posed considerable risk to water users at the time of the incident.
“In order to prevent drowning in similar circumstances, I consider that it is necessary to adopt the recommendations suggested by Surf Life Saving New Zealand,” Youn’s report said. “I consider that it is necessary for the following safety messages to be communicated to the public:
Choose a beach with lifeguards present, and swim between the flags
Know your ability to swim and to cope in conditions, if you are in doubt, stay out
Watch out for rip currents which can carry you away from the shore. If you are caught in a rip, relax and float, raise your hand to signal for help, ride the rip until it stops and swim safely back to the shore.
