Woman drowned at Blackhead beach

A 38 yr old Palmerston North woman has drowned today after being caught in a rip at Blackhead beach in the Central Hawke's Bay.

The woman and her 9yr old son, who had been staying at an address near the beach, waded out to retrieve a fishing buoy from the water at approximately midday when the pair were caught in the rip and dragged out to deeper water.

Witnesses managed to launch a boat and assisted the 9yr old out of the water, but the woman was unconscious by the time they reached her.

The pair were taken back to shore where a local fireman and his wife (a nurse) conducted CPR on the woman for approximately 3/4 of an hour. Despite their best efforts, the woman never regained consciousness.

The woman's son was flown to hospital by the Lowe Corporation Rescue helicopter, and was later released from hospital uninjured.

Her name will be released once next of kin have been advised.