Sudden death, believed to be drowning, at Takapuna Beach, Auckland.

One person was killed in a “water incident” on Takapuna Beach, and a witness told the Herald that the person is believed to have drowned.

A spokeswoman for St John Ambulance confirmed that they had been called in about an incident with the water on the beach, and they sent an ambulance and a manager, but referred inquiries to the police.

Police were attending a “sudden death incident” on Takapuna beach, a police spokesman said.

They were called around 12:40 pm and were making inquiries, the spokesman said. No further details were available.

A woman on Takapuna beach told the Herald that she believed a man had drowned.

The woman said she spoke to a man on the beach who said a man had drowned and been pulled out of the water.

“There was a group of people at the water’s edge who had been working on it. It’s a pretty sad start to summer for a family.”

A hearse was parked next to the restrooms at the end of Hauraki Rd, he said.

She was alerted to the incident when she saw a vehicle heading to the beach.

“I thought maybe someone was trying to take a car to the beach because there was a white car by the sand and the police were parked right behind it, but then I realized it was a hearse.”