A person has died following a water-related incident at a Manawat\u016b beach this afternoon. <\/p>\n
Police said it was called to Tangimoana Beach Rd at about 2.30pm after reports of two people swept out to sea while swimming.<\/p>\n
“One person has managed to self rescue and reach the shore safely,” a police spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“Sadly, at around 3.50pm, one person was located deceased.”<\/p>\n
Hato Hone St John said an ambulance, a rapid response unit, an operations manager and a helicopter responded to the scene.<\/p>\n
“Our ambulance staff assessed one patient in a minor condition,” it said. <\/p>\n
Coastguard said it provided drift and current modelling to help direct the search and put out a call over marine radio asking anyone on the water nearby to help.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Defence Force, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and members of the public also responded to the incident. <\/p>\n
Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident were ongoing. <\/p>\n
Tangimoana Beach is located at the mouth of the Rangit\u012bkei River, around 30km west of Palmerston North.<\/p>\n