Police confirm ‘water-related’ death on Soldiers Rd, McLaren Falls

Tauranga police confirmed that one person died in the Lower Kaimai area after emergency services attempted to revive someone this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman previously said that police were alerted to the scene on Soldiers Rd, near State Highway 29, around 12.25 p.m., by reports of someone needing medical assistance while swimming.

The spokeswoman said she confirmed it was a “water-related incident” and that fire and ambulance personnel were also at the scene.

A spokeswoman for St. John said an ambulance and rapid response unit were dispatched to the scene, but could not comment further.

In a written statement, a police spokesman said that around 12:20 p.m. police received reports that a swimmer needed medical attention at McLaren Falls, Soldiers Rd, in the Lower Kaimai area.

“Emergency services came and the person was recovered from the water. Unfortunately, attempts to revive the person were unsuccessful, and he died in
the scene.”

The death will be referred to the coroner, the police spokesman said.

A reporter near the scene said he could see about a half dozen vehicles parked on the side of Soldiers Rd, including two marked police cars, facing the Wairoa River.

On the opposite side of the road there was a small gathering of people near the entrance to a property.

Members of the group could be seen hugging, while police could be seen speaking to the public.

The water-related death scene was about 300 to 400 meters from the intersection with State Highway 29.