Fitzroy Beach drowning

At 7pm (11 January) a 45-year-old male from Waitara was swimming with his 10-year-old son at Fitzroy Beach, when he got into trouble straight off the Fitzroy surf life saving club rooms.

At the time it was low tide and very little swell, but there was still a strong current forming a rip which took the male approximately 80-100 meters off shore.

Members of the public realised he was in trouble and raised the alarm on the beach and called emergency services.

At least one member of the public swam to assist the male and two New Plymouth Board riders members obtained surf boards from the club rooms and reached the male very quickly and supported him on their boards.

Meanwhile the East End surf lifesaving club put two IRB's into the water and raced to the group an brought the male back to shore.

Unfortunately efforts by the public, club members, Police and Ambulance staff were unsuccessful in reviving the male.

Police said it was a real tragedy and the everyone who went to the male's aid did a fantastic job.

The 10-year-old boy was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital for a check up as he had swallowed some water.

At the time the beach was not being patrolled by club members due to the hour of the day.

The East End Surf Life Saving Club assisted as the Fitzroy Surf Life Saving were training at another location.