One man missing presumed drowned at Bethells Beach

A search operation is underway at West Auckland’s Bethells Beach today as one man is missing, presumed drowned.

Four men are believed to have entered the water shortly before 7.30pm last night. All four men found themselves in difficulty with three being swept in a southerly direction and one in a northerly.

Surf Lifeguard patrols had concluded for the day when a member of the public raised the alarm with an off-duty Lifeguard and informed him that four men had been swept out to sea. The Lifeguard responded and was back on the scene with an IRB within ten minutes of being notified. Three of the four men had managed to make their own way back to shore, but there was no sign of the fourth man.

Surf Lifeguards conducted a search in rough conditions with a 1.5m swell but were unable to locate the man. Westpac Rescue Helicopter also assisted in the search until low light conditions meant the search was called off at 9.30pm last night.

The search for the man’s body has resumed this morning. This missing man is believed to be 20-year-old Warrior’s Rugby League star Sonny Fai.