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Four people are in hospital after getting into trouble on a West Auckland beach.
Emergency services were called to O’Neill Bay, near Bethells Beach, shortly after noon.
While the group is registered, one person has been airlifted to Auckland City Hospital in serious condition. Three others in moderate condition were transferred by ambulance.
It is the second time in five days that crews have had to reach O’Neill Bay, prompting a warning from rescuers.
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* Lifeguards experience the busiest winter in northern beaches in memory
* 23-year-old woman who died after falling from rocks into water at West Auckland beach called
* The search for a fisherman who was washed out to sea off the west coast of Auckland enters the second day
On Monday, emergency services were alerted to a fisherman washed up on the rocks in O’Neill Bay. They haven’t found it yet.
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust / Supplied
One person was flown to Auckland City Hospital in serious condition (file photo).
With the arrival of summer, the Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) has urged kiwis not to become complacent on the coast after noticing an increase in incidents in Northland, Auckland and Waikato.
This week alone, six lives have been saved in the northern region and two deaths.
SLSNR CEO Matt Williams said it had been the busiest winter in recent memory.
“We have had 33 calls for our emergency call squads since the beginning of May. In all of last year, we only had 31 calls, ”Williams said.
“That is a massive increase in our workload and it is projected to keep growing.”
Sgt Garry Larsen of the Auckland Police Maritime Unit also warned people to plan ahead and check conditions, tides and marine forecast before approaching the water.
On Tuesday, lifeguards from Bethells, United North Piha and Piha Surf Clubs were tasked with rescuing a 23-year-old woman who fell into the water off rocks at White’s Beach, north of Piha. She died at the scene.
