- The trio had been fishing off the small island of Kauritutahi, southwest Auckland
- Police were called at 12:40pm following reports they were in trouble in the water
- An incoming fast-moving tide killed the father, his two children are in hospital
A father has died and two of his children are in hospital after getting caught in a fast-moving tide.
The trio were returning from fishing off the small island of Kauritutahi, near the Awhitu Regional Park in southwest Auckland, when an incoming tide swept them up.
Awhitu Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Andrew Hamilton told the New Zealand Herald: ‘I think they were fishing on the island … They got caught in the tide when they were making their way back to shore by foot.’
A father has died and his two children are in hospital after getting caught in a fast-moving tide near the Awhitu Regional Park (stock image)
‘They are big tides at the moment with a lot of current when the tide is coming in and going out.’
‘Special mention must be made of the campers there. They were alerted to it before we got there and went out and helped the family in to shore,’ he added.
Police were called to the scene around 12.40pm following reports three people were in trouble in the water, but the father died at the scene.
The children are in a moderate condition and are being treated at Middlemore Hospital.
They were airlifted by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter after swallowing sea water.
The small island the family were fishing on is about 200 metres from the shore.
A spokesman for the rescue helicopter told the publication: ‘When crew got there, CPR was in progress on an adult male patient. He unfortunately died at the scene.
‘Crew of Westpac 2 assisted two children who had been rescued prior to the rescue helicopter arriving at the scene.’
The small island the family were fishing on is about 200m from the shore (stock image of Awhitu Regional Park)